THURSDAY 18TH APRIL 2019

FG Tightens Airports Security over Rising Theft Cases Expands CCTV coverage area, reinforces patrols, profiles security personnel Chinedu Eze Following rising cases of theft, including a recent robbery of a private jet waiting to take off after bandits accessed

the airside of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the federal government has reinforced the security apparatus at the nation’s

airports, THISDAY has learnt.

The new strategy, it was learnt, includes the expansion of areas covered by the CloseCircuit Television (CCTV), reinforcement of security

team that patrols all areas of the airports, profiling of Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, close monitoring of airport users and workers and ban to persons who have

been sacked from the airport from gaining access to any of the airports unless they are travelling.

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation

Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with THISDAY, said some Continued on page 7

China’s Growth Pushes Oil Price to 2019 High at $72..

Page 7

Thursday 18 April, 2019 Vol 24. No 8774. Price: N250

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Buhari Asks Ministers to Submit Handover Notes Cabinet dissolution imminent

Omololu Ogunmade and Alex Enumah in Abuja An indication that President Muhammadu Buhari may dissolve the Federal Executive Council (FEC) earlier than the May 29 terminal date of his first term in office emerged yesterday when he asked ministers and agency heads to turn in their handover notes

by Wednesday.

THISDAY had reported

I am duly elected, president tells Atiku

exclusively on Monday that the president was weighing his options on the status of the ministers and that he might ask them to go shortly even as he might not reappoint most of them.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, yesterday said the president Continued on page 6

Senate Bows to President, Reviews, Passes PIGB Reduces PRC’s revenue retention to five per cent Expunges PEF clause Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday bowed to President Muhammadu Buhari’s positions on Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) and six others he had vetoed, reviewing and passing them in accordance

with the observations and recommendations of the president.

The president had, exercising his powers under the 1999 Constitution, refused assent to the PIGB, the Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, National Continued on page 6

S’Court Affirms Fayemi as Gov, Dismisses Oni’s Eligibility Suit... Page 6

THE CHOSEN ONE...

L-R: National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; President Muhammadu Buhari; and the party’s preferred candidate for speaker of ninth House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during a presidential dinner for House members-elect in Abuja… Tuesday

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PAGE SIX

S’Court Affirms Fayemi as Gov, Dismisses Oni’s Eligibility Suit Alex Enumah in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a suit filed by former Ekiti State governor, Chief Segun Oni, challenging the eligibility of Governor Kayode Fayemi to stand as a candidate in the July 14, 2018 governorship poll.

The apex court in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Amirul Sanusi dismissed the suit on the grounds that it has become statute barred and a mere academic exercise.

In the verdict, the court held that Oni's suit was caught up with Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution, which makes it mandatory that all pre-election cases must be filed within 14 days of the cause of action.

Justice Sanusi said from the available record at the disposal of the court the case of the appellant (Oni) was filed 42 days after the cause of

action arose, thereby making the suit legally incompetent to be adjudicated upon.

Oni, who was a governorship aspirant in the last primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the nomination of the flag bearer in Ekiti State, had dragged Fayemi to court praying for an order disqualifying him from participating in the last governorship election.

The grouse of Oni was that Fayemi did not resign as Minister of Solid Mineral three months before the election as required by law.

Oni also predicated his case on the report of a Commission of Enquiry set up by the Ekiti State Government under former Governor Ayodele Fayose, which prohibited Fayemi from holding public office for a period of 10 years.

However, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory

(FCT) presided over by Justice Oathman Musa, had in a judgment quashed the report of the commission on the grounds that Fayemi was denied fair hearing during the proceeding.

But Justice Sanusi upheld the preliminary objection raised against the appeal of Oni that the suit has no life in it having been filed outside the 14 days required by law to be competent.

Reacting to the judgment, Fayemi's counsel, Rafiu Balogun, commended the apex court for the ability to do justice to the issue within the time frame allowed by law.

The counsel expressed optimism that his client, Fayemi, will now have sufficient time to concentrate on governance and meet the expectations of the people of Ekiti State, adding that with the suit finally concluded there is no victor, no vanquished.

Reacting to the judgment, Fayemi said it confirmed that he resigned as a minister in line with the 1999 Constitution.

Reiterating that he was never a law breaker, Fayemi said the verdict will afford the state to move forward and end all contentions about his emergence.

The governor added that the primaries of the party, which produced him as the APC governorship candidate in Ekiti State in 2018 was not only free, fair and credible but backed by law.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti yesterday during the swearing in of the new Head of Service, Mr Ayodeji Ajayi, shortly after the Supreme Court judgement, he said: “Ekiti must move forward. Enough of these distractions. Enough of these recriminations over

matters that ought not go to court.

“It is very clear that I resigned in accordance with the constitution of the land and that the shenanigans that culminated in the White Paper that said Fayemi should not serve in public office have been dealt with in the appropriate law courts as the thrash that it was at the time.

“It also shows clearly that the primaries that took place in Ekiti for anyone who is objective enough, was the cleanest, the fairest and most credible primaries that ever has taken place in the history of electioneering in Nigeria.”

Fayemi, who said Oni was right to have gone to court since he felt strongly about a position, added: “Now that the highest court in the land has pronounced definitely on it, I hope he would see it as a cue to play a more active role in the party “Oni, to the best of my

knowledge, remains a member of the APC. I don’t believe he has elected to remove himself from the party. But I think this would not lead to another round of recriminations and attacks.”

The governor charged the new HoS to be upright and provide right leadership for the civil service, saying: “We will not tolerate any breach of the accord we have signed with Ekiti people. Do your best, justify the confidence reposed in you”.

In his response, the new HoS, Ajayi, who promised to provide strong leadership for the civil service, said he would implement and develop the ideals of the service.

“This is an epoch occasion.

Epoch-making in the sense that somebody who has been literally condemned is now a king,” he said in reference to how he was vilified by the immediate past administration.

centres, in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory as well as at the national collation centre, he scored a total votes of 18,356,732 as against Buhari's 16,741,530.

He said the figures, which are available in the server of INEC were at variance with those declared by the electoral umpire, which credited Atiku with 11,262,430 votes, while Buhari got 15,191,847 to emerge the winner.

However, in his response to Atiku's petition filed by his lawyers led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun, the president said he led the former vice president with a margin of 3,928,869 to emerge winner of the poll that was adjudged to be free and fair by observers at various polling units across the country.

"Contrary to paragraph 17 of the petition, the respondent states that the petitioners scored a total of 11,262,978 votes, trailing behind the respondent who scored a total of 15,191,847 votes, with a margin of 3,928,869 votes," he stated.

Buhari while claiming that his success at the poll was not incidental, argued that he has always defeated Atiku in previous elections be it intra party or inter party.

He insisted that he won majority of the lawful votes cast at the poll and that there

were no incidents of corrupt practices as alleged by both Atiku and the PDP in their petition.

"That the declaration and return of the respondent as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is valid and in compliance with the provision of the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all other laws, Rules, Guidelines and Regulations regulating the election," he submitted.

He added that nothing untoward regarding form EC8D affected the integrity of the election.

Reacting to the issue of alleged non-possession of requisite qualification required by law for the office of the president, Buhari in dismissing Atiku's allegation said he was far more qualified than the PDP presidential candidate.

"The respondent avers that he is far more qualified, both constitutionally and educationally, to contest and occupy the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria than the 1st petitioner (Atiku); and that in terms of educational qualifications, trainings and courses attended, both within and outside Nigeria, he is head and shoulder above the 1st petitioner in terms of acquisition of knowledge, certificates, laurels, medals and experience.

He said: "Respondent states further that it is the

1st petitioner, who is not qualified to contest the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and challenges the educational credentials and certificates of the 1st petitioner.

"1st petitioner is hereby given notice to produce and tender his educational certificates, indicating the schools attended by him, with dates."

Buhari also insisted that all the information contained in the affidavit he submitted to INEC for the purpose of the election were true and correct to the best of his information and knowledge.

Buhari, however, urged the tribunal to dismiss Atiku and PDP's petition on the grounds that the reliefs the petitioners sought are frivolous.

"The entire reliefs are not justifiable, as the petitioners, who claim to have scored majority of lawful votes in substantial number of states, are also questioning their own return in those states,” he said, adding: "The petitioners cannot act as petitioners and respondents in the same petition."

to the bills passed by the National Assembly citing several reasons, including financial constraints, negative impact on Nigerians, duplication of responsibilities of existing agencies, violations of extant laws and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders.

PIGB is one of the longest standing bills in the National Assembly that was first sent to the National Assembly in 2008 as an executive bill by late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The Sixth National Assembly (2007 – 2011) failed to pass the bill and it was re-presented to the National Assembly in 2012 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In 2014, 47 out of the 360 members of the House of Representatives in the Seventh Assembly (20112015) were present when the bill was passed a few hours to the end of their tenure. But the bill failed

Fayemi: Verdict Confirms Me a Law Abiding Citizen

BUHARI ASKS MINISTERS TO SUBMIT HANDOVER NOTES asked his appointees to come up with a comprehensive status reports on policies, programmes and projects of their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

According to him, the government officials have Wednesday, April 24, 2019 as the deadline for submission of their reports to the Presidential Audit Committee in the Office of the Vice President.

Shehu also said a circular to this effect issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, instructed members of the Federal Executive Council to ensure that all outstanding memoranda they intend to present to the Federal Executive Council are submitted to the Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not later than Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

He also said the circular also informed members that the ninth and 10th meetings of the council have been rescheduled to Thursday, April 25, and Thursday, May 2, 2019 respectively in view of the Easter break and May Day celebrations.

Based on the president’s directive, ministries have started directing agencies and parastatals under their supervision to equally submit their handover notes.

For instance, the Federal

Ministry of Finance has ordered Customs Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), the Accountant General of the Federation and 12 other heads of agencies under the Ministry of Finance to submit their hand over notes by April 23.

The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed.

According to the circular obtained yesterday, permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments and auditorgeneral of the federation were also directed to send in their handover briefs.

Others affected by the circular include, the Debt Management Office, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), National Insurance Commission, Investment and Security Tribunal, National Economic Reconstruction Fund, Nigeria Export Import Bank, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Development Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

The minister revealed that the development was to ensure a comprehensive hand over notes for the smooth and effective transition to the

in-coming administration on May 29.

The handover notes, she further revealed, are to be prepared in soft copies, hard copies must as well contain lists of files under the custody of all the MDAs. I am duly elected, president tells Atiku Meanwhile, Buhari has insisted that he was validly returned as president by majority of the votes cast at the February 23 presidential election.

Buhari also submitted that he was eminently qualified to run for the Office of President of Nigeria having not only the minimum qualification required by law but rose to the peak of his career in the military.

The president's position was contained in his response to the petition against him at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku had in his petition filed at the tribunal in March claimed that he and not Buhari won the presidential poll.

The former vice president in his petition said based on figures collated from their agents in all the polling units, ward collation centres, local government area collation centres, and the state collation

SENATE BOWS TO PRESIDENT, REVIEWS, PASSES PIGB Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (Est.) Bill, National Research and Innovation Council (Est.) Bill, National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill, Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (Amendment) Bill and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill.

In the specific case of PIGB, Buhari had refused assent in August 2018, because of the provision permitting the Petroleum Regulatory Commission (PRC) to retain

as much as 10 percent of the revenue generated, and the provision expanding the functions of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF).

Sequel to the lead presentation of the seven bills by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, the Committee of the Whole approved the clause-by-clause consideration of the bills.

In the new PIG bill, the Senate agreed with the president's submission and reduced the revenue generated by the regulatory

commission from 10 to five per cent.

The upper legislative body also expunged the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) from Part IV of the new bill.

The Senate had in March adopted the report of its Technical Committee on Declined Assent to Bills chaired by Senator David Umaru (Niger East), which worked on Mr President's observations and redrafted the affected clauses in the bills.

Buhari had declined assent

Continued on page 7

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NEWS

China’s Growth Pushes Oil Price to 2019 High at $72 Court orders arrest of Etete, Adoke over Malabu Oil deal

Ejiofor Alike with agency reports and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Global benchmark crude, Brent oil, yesterday hit a 2019 high above $72 a barrel, propelled by steady economic growth in China and a fall in United States crude stocks, which defied expectations and signalled firm demand, while global supply remained tight.

Brent had hit an intraday peak of $72.27 before settling at $71.92.

United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $64.39 per barrel, up 34 cents or 0.53 per cent and just shy of a 2019 high of $64.79 hit last week.

China’s economy grew by 6.4 per cent in the first quarter, official data showed, defying expectations for a further slowdown and assuaging global markets as a United States-China trade deal also appears near.

Refinery throughput in China - the world’s secondlargest crude user - rose 3.2 per cent in March from a year earlier.

Prices have been supported this year by a pact reached by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting

Countries (OPEC) and allies, including Russia, to limit their oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day.

The measure was part of the efforts of OPEC and other producers, including Russia, to gradually tighten supply through 2019 to reduce a global glut.

However, OPEC and its partners may not renew the curbs when they expire after June because of the risk of over-tightening the market.

Global supply has been tightened further by United States sanctions on OPEC members Venezuela and Iran.

Iran’s crude exports have dropped in April to their lowest daily level this year, tanker data showed and industry sources said, suggesting a drawdown in buyer interest ahead of expected further pressure from Washington.

Reuters reported that Indian refiners are increasing their planned purchases from OPEC nations, Mexico and the United States to make up for any loss of Iranian oil if the United States enforces sanctions more harshly from next month, sources and company officials said.

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), India’s top refiner and Iran’s biggest Indian client,

Adoke

will cut Iranian oil imports to 6 million tonnes or about 120,000 barrels per day, in the 2019/20 period from 9 million in 2018/19.

It has also reportedly raised the optional volumes it can buy from other producers to 2 million tonnes.

All four Indian state-owned refiners that buy Iranian oil are confident of securing additional barrels from other producers, officials from the companies told Reuters.

According to agency reports, they have not yet placed orders for Iranian oil for May, when the current waiver expires, pending clarity from the United States.

While, India’s Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL);

and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), have tapped Iraq to make up for Iranian oil, Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has signed its first annual contract with United States suppliers and also raised supplies from Mexico.

In June, OPEC and its partners will decide whether to extend their agreement, but Russia’s willingness to stick with the cuts now looks less clear.

Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russian gas company, Gazprom, expects the global oil deal to end in the first half of the year, a company official said.

Meanwhile, a Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Jabi, Abuja yesterday ordered the arrest of former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete and former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Bello Adoke SAN, both of whom were implicated in Malabu oil scandal.

The order by the FCT Court presided over by Justice D.Z. Senchi followed

prayers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a warrant of arrest against Etete and Adoke.

The court further ordered that the two should be arrested by the Police and International Police (INTERPOL) anywhere, including outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Also declared wanted were Raph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefeno, and Burrato Sebastiano. They were due to be arraigned before Justice Senchi yesterday to face charges related to the Malabu Oil scandal but failed to show up.

The EFCC had since 2017 pressed charges against Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Co. Ltd, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Eni Spa, Raph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefeno, Burrato Sebastiano, Duazia Louya Etete (aka Dan Etete), Mohammed Bello Adoke, Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited.

All the defendants declared wanted had repeatedly failed to appear before the court.

In view of their persistent absence in court, the EFCC had through its counsel, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, brought

a motion ex parte praying the court for a warrant of their arrest and an order for leave to execute the warrant outside of the jurisdiction of the court.

“At today’s proceeding, Justice Senchi, granted the prayers of the EFCC, and ruled that the Nigeria Police, the INTERPOL and any other law enforcement agency should arrest them anywhere they were found, including outside jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) High Court,” an EFCC statement said.

The matter was adjourned to July 11, 2019 for further hearing.

In a response last night, Adoke said he would fight the order in court because he had already been cleared of any wrongdoing by a “competent court of law”.

“The honorable judge was misled by the EFCC to grant the warrant. Justice Binta Nyako ruled in April 2018 that I was only carrying out a presidential order in the OPL 245/Malabu transaction and that I had no case to answer. That naturally ends the EFCC case against me but the agency has chosen this path and I will use all legal means to exonerate myself,” he said.

companies, resource and other companies that operate at the airports.

He added: “We are scrutinising everything and we can confirm that those who have the courage to go to the airport to rob are those who are familiar with the airport and airport processes.

“Nobody that does not have that experience will have the courage to go there, unless the person is guided by those familiar with the environment. We have urged concerned authorities to regularly profile AVSEC personnel.

“I also suspect sabotage because anytime Nigeria has good records in aviation; this kind of incident will come up. That is why it is not wise to make your strategies public.

“For two years we have not had any of such incident and when our security records are attracting a lot of commendation bandits came with the unscrupulous act.”

Reacting to the security breaches at the airports, the former Managing Director of Capital Airline and currently the lead consultant of ETIMFRI Group, Mr. Amos Akpan, likened the incident to breach of national security.

He said even the President of Nigeria is not save if bandits and possibly terrorists could have access to the airport runway.

He said: “We will keep having reoccurrence of such security breaches because our aviation security programme appears to be reactive, not proactive. The criminals breach the security and we

respond with fire brigade, reactive approach. The fences at the airport have holes.

“There is no real on-time coverage of the entire airport

by Close-Circuit Television (CCTV). We need to have the entire airport covered

by CCTV. This way every activity in and around the airport will be on record and can be reviewed in case of breach.

“It is dangerous to let criminals feel they can enter and operate within the airport. In the immediate, it has to be mandatory for Aviation Security (AVSEC) with armed security to escort every aircraft.”

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it has taken corrective measure to end security infractions as noted

by Akpan.

the problem of ozone layer depletion.

Contributing, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, however, said there was no need for a law to be passed for Nigerians to switch from use of petrol vehicles to electric vehicles.

Going down memory lane, Ekweremadu emphasised that people moved from the use of animals as sole means of transportation to use of bicycles, motor bikes, cars and other advanced means of transportation.

According to him, the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which provide for freedom of movement sufficed.

He said: "I congratulate Ben Murray Bruce for his

uncommon common sense and brilliant ideas in the lead debate but what is not common is the need to introduce a law to mandate the use of electric cars.

"If we go down in history donkeys were used as means of transportation and there is no law that caused people to begin to use cars.

"This is ancillary to section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires freedom of movement. So, he should consider taking back the bill.”

"Besides, in economic sense, we are an oil producing country. So, we should do everything possible to frustrate the sale of electric cars in Nigeria to enable us sell our oil.

Also speaking, Senator

Barau Jibrin (Kano North) said while electric vehicles no doubt would be more friendly to the environment and health, making its use mandatory was not feasible.

He said, "we have to look at individual net worth. Not all Nigerians can afford the vehicles at a given time.

"We all know the importance of vehicles in our daily activities. So, banning use of fuel cars will cause hardship, particularly for those who may not be able to acquire electric cars".

In his remarks, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, emphasised the need to move to other items on the day's Order Paper since Murray-Bruce had withdrawn the bill.

Court Orders Arrest of Etete, Adoke over Malabu Oil Deal

FG TIGHTENS AIRPORTS SECURITY OVER RISING THEFT CASES other strategies deployed by the federal government to fortify security at the airports would not be disclosed as part of security measures.

According to him, Nigeria had kept good record in terms of airport security until the recent breach, where bandits accessed and stole a bag from ANAP Jets aircraft owned by Mr. Atedo Peterside.

The NCAA Director General said for about two years such incidents were not recorded at any of the airports in the country until the recent incident.

He noted that security breaches were bound to occur as it happens at different airports of the world, adding, however, that it would be a thing of worry if the occurrence becomes frequent.

He said: “When it comes to security, challenges are normally faced and they are addressed as at when we see them either physically or when we envisage that there is likelihood to be breaches. A lot of things have been going on in terms of prevention.

“Once in a while we have breaches and any time we have a breach, we go back to investigate to know how and why. And the essence is to prevent it from happening again. I cannot disclose the things that we have done or that we are doing, otherwise we give some people the opportunity to attack.

“But whatever is possible, we are doing it to make sure that our airports continue to be secured. Because we are taking the fight to the other side not only the airside but

also even on the landside because that is the new trend now.

“If you can avoid any threat coming on the landside there is a better chance of you stopping anything going on the airside.”

Usman explained that concerted efforts were being made to ensure that those who are not supposed to be at the airport do not have access to the facility, stressing that there is an increase in the monitoring of movement by security operatives at the airports.

The director general also said investigations have confirmed that those who would plan to rob at the airport must have airport experience as former workers of handling companies, airports management

SENATE BOWS TO PRESIDENT, REVIEWS, PASSES PIGB to get the constitutionally required concurrence from the Senate.

The current bill is a private member bill sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Senator Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central).

The bill seeks to create efficient and effective governing institutions with clear and separate roles for the petroleum industry, establish a framework for the creation of commercially oriented and profit driven petroleum entities to ensure value addition and internationalization of the petroleum industry, promote transparency and accountability in the administration of petroleum

resources of Nigeria; and foster a conducive business environment for petroleum industry operations.

Also yesterday, the Senate rejected the Bill for an Act to phase out Petrol Vehicles in 2035 and introduce Electric Cars.

This followed observations by senators on the impossibility of mandating Nigerians to stop the use of petrol vehicles.

Following the criticism of the bill, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Ben MurrayBruce Bruce (Bayelsa East) decided to withdraw the bill.

He, however, raised a point of order, saying that posterity would judge him right for the need to embrace electric vehicles, adding that in no

distant time, combustible vehicles would be phased out globally.

He said: "I can never quarrel with my leaders and friends but I want them to close their eyes and know they are in the 21st century.

"I own an electric car that I have been using for the past five years. It is cheaper to maintain and durable. So, the fears put forward by my colleagues are highly debatable.

"I will withdraw the bill but I want my colleagues to know they do not belong in the 21st century.”

Presenting the bill before its rejection, Bruce said one of the major advantages of use of electric vehicles is that it would help solve

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NEWS Insecurity Has Made Life Difficult for Northerners, ACF Cries Out

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said that the increasing level of insecurity and banditry in the northern states, especially Zamafara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Taraba, has made life unbearable for the people of the geopolitical zone.

It called on the federal government to take drastic measures to restore normalcy, peace and harmony in the affected states.

In a communique issued yesterday at the end of its meeting in Kaduna, the forum insisted that drastic measures must be taken to restore normalcy, peace and harmony in the affected states in order to assuage the fears of the people, whose socio-economic and political life had been destroyed by what it described as the cruel and devastating activities of bandits.

The communiqué, which was signed by the spokesman of the forum, Muhammad Ibrahim, also expressed concern over the recent communal clashes between the Tiv and Jukun communities in Benue and Taraba states, which led to loss of lives and destruction of properties.

The forum condemned what it described as “unnecessary enmity “between the communities that have peacefully coexisted over the years and called on the two states to come up with a peace-

building mechanism that will ensure harmony among the various groups.

ACF further noted a similar communal clash between Mada ethnic group and Fulani settlement in Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State and called on the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

It appealed to the communities to avoid using reprisals as a way of addressing concerns, since such reprisals make victims of those who know nothing about the feuds.

The forum also expressed concern over the 10 million children that are out of school in the north, noting “the increase in the number of Almajiris and children roaming the streets and the unfortunate attitude of our state governors towards the development of education.“ The communique added that “recently the emirs and chiefs in the north organised a conference on this burning issue where it discussed and issued a communique on how the northern states should tackle the situation.

“Unfortunately, very few states attended the conference or even send representatives.

“Furthermore, the Minister of Education recently lamented the attitude of states government to access funds at the Universal Basic Education Commission for primary education development by paying their counterpart

PDP NWC Meets Serving, Elected National Assembly Members Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last night met with serving and newly-elected lawmakers ahead of the inauguration of members of the 9th National Assembly.

The meeting came 48 hours after the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) adopted Senator Ahmed Lawan, and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the next Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.

The meeting, which was held behind closed-doors at the Lagos/Osun Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, had in attendance, all the serving and newly-elected lawmakers that are members of the PDP. The meeting had in attendance the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Speaker House of

Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeweremadu; Senate Minority leader, Abiodun Olujimi; Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Philip Aduda, among others.

Speaking before the meeting went into a closeddoor session, the PDP Board of trustees (BOT) Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, urged members of the 9th senate to ensure that the party retains the leadership.

According to him, “we have come to share ideas on how to keep the party alive. We are very proud of the members of the National Assembly; you are the hope of our party. I hope you will keep hope alive. We have no doubt that what is before us, we are going to surmount it.

PDP should lead the Senate.”

It is believed that the meeting would afford the main opposition party the opportunity to strategise in order for the party to retain important leadership position in the National Assembly.

funding,” ACF explained.

The socio-cultural body appealed to the northern state governments to

seriously address this outof-school children menace to avoid further escalation of insecurity and other

vices that have bedeviled the North.

“Illiteracy, poverty and drug abuses are a result

of poor education and nonchalant attitude of our leaders to good governance,’’ the group added.

CONGRATULATORY VISIT…

L-R: Executive Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Ayoku Liadi; Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; and Business Manager, Bishop Abolade Cole Business Office, UBA, Mrs. Adaeze Nnama, during the congratulatory visit of UBA management to the governor-elect in Lagos …yesterday

EFCC to Re-arraign Ofili-Ajumogobia Today Davidson Iriekpen

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today re-arraign a former Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, before Justice Rilwan Aikawa at the Federal High Court in Lagos on fresh charges of money laundering and other offences, THISDAY gathered yesterday.

Ofili-Ajumogobia was arrested by the officials of the anti-graft agency at the premises of the Ikeja High Court on Tuesday.

Though it was not clear how many count charges would be preferred against the former judge, sources at the anti-graft commission said it might not be up to the 30 filed against her at the Ikeja High Court.

Ofili-Ajumogobi was first arrested by the EFCC in 2016 and arraigned alongside a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Delivering the judgment, which first set the former judge free, Justice Oshodi held that based on the judicial precedent set

by Justice Nganjiwa vs

FRN, the high court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit as the EFCC “jumped the gun” in filing the first amended charge.

He said despite the EFCC being aware of the decision in Nganjiwa’s case regarding the proper procedure to discipline erring judicial officers, the body still went ahead with the case.

The EFCC had said it rearrested Ofili-Ajumogobia to enable it to prefer fresh criminal charges against her.

The commission said the development was in line with the decision of the Appeal Court,

Lagos Division, in a case involving Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, which ruled that a judge could not be prosecuted until they had either been dismissed or compulsorily retired by the National Judicial Council.

“Consequent upon the fact that the commission had presented OfiliAjumogobia before the NJC for disciplinary action and that the NJC had taken a position, the commission would now approach the court to prefer fresh charges her,” acting spokesman for the EFCC, Tony Orilade, said in a statement.

Kogi Gov Declares for Second Term Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, yesterday declared his intention to contest for second term in office.

The governor made the disclosure to run for another term at the meeting of the state executive council.

According to him, another term in office would enable him consolidate on the good works he has started, saying he did well in the first term and he would not disappoint the people.

He described the state as an All Progressives Congress (APC) state going by the

outcome of the last general election, and promised to improve on his past performance by making the welfare of people of the state a priority.

However, THISDAY reliably gathered that the governor disclosed to member of his cabinet that he is presently facing serious challenge on his second term.

Source close to the seat of power further stated that the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu; the National Chairman of the party, Adams Osihomole, and others are working against his second term

ambition.

The source said all efforts by the governor to meet one-on-one with Tinubu on his ambition to contest for second term in office proved abortive as he was not given audience by the leader.

Also, all efforts made by members of the state assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole, to see Tinubu on the ambition of the governor in Lagos also hit the rock.

Bello became the governor of Kogi State after the demised of Prince Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate of the APC,

who was already leading in the poll.The governor, who came second during the party’s governorship primary, was considered as a replacement for late Audu.

However, serious crisis later engulfed the party as some aggrieved members challenged the choice of Bello as replacement for Audu.

Chief James Faleke, who was the running mate of late Audu and members of the state executive of the party took the case to court to unseat the governor, but Bello finally won all the litigations in the court.

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FG Approves $200m Loan to Finance Electrification Project Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the request to obtain a loan of $150 million from the African Development Bank to finance the Nigerian Electrification Project.

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this yesterday at the end of the meeting of the Council which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

She said an additional $50 million loan facility from the African Grow Together Fund was also approved for the execution of the electrification project.

According to her, the project which is a nationwide initiative, has four components and will be implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency.

“First, it approved $150 million loan facility from African Development Bank and $50m loan from African Grow Together Fund to finance the Nigeria electrification project.

“The project is a nationwide initiative to be implemented by the rural electrification agency. The project aligns with the strategy of Federal Government on electrifying rural communities.

“The project has four components, first is solar

hybrid mini-grid for rural economic development, the second is productive appliances equipment for up-grid communities and the third is energising education while the fourth component is institutional capacity building,’’ she added.

She said the project aligned with the strategy of the federal government on electrifying the rural communities, adding that eight universities would benefit from the project.

The minister revealed that the project when fully implemented would benefit about 500,000 people while 105,000 households would have access to electricity supply.

“The maximum power that will be generated will be 76.5 megawatts installed generating capacity, part of which is 68,000 megawatts of solar.

“Eight universities will benefit from this scheme and about 20,000 small, micro, medium enterprises across different communities in the nation,’’ she said.

The minister also disclosed that the council approved another $27.3 million loan facility from IADE which is Nigeria’s component for the execution of the North Core Dorsal Regional Transmission Project aimed at connecting Nigeria, Niger, Benin Republic, Togo and Burkina Faso.

She said the project has a high voltage 330 kilowatts transmission line to facilitate energy trade among participants The project is in the total sum of $640 million out of which each of the four countries involved has a component.

“Nigeria has the smallest component in this pact which

is a total loan of $27.3 million IADE facility.

“It is a concessionary loan.

This is a loan that the four countries are taking together; the other three countries have concluded theirs, so this is one of the final stages for Nigeria to conclude its process,’’ she said.

The minister also disclosed

that the council approved $20 million for the Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan She said the facility was from the French Development Agency, adding that the objective of the project was to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of Lagos urban area and to promote urban development

through efficient and effective transport system.

“The project has two major components, first is to rehabilitate urban roads and the creation of minimum of eight equality bus corridors and the creation of two multi-model inter-changes at Marina and Mile 2.

TROPHY TOUR BERTHS IN LAGOS… Court Varies NBA Representative of Lagos State Governor and Chairman, State Sports Commission (LSSC), Dr. Kweku Tandoh (middle); UEFA Champions League and former Barcelona FC Defender, Carles Puyol (left); and Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, during the UEFA Champions LeagueTrophyTour to the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday President’s Bail Conditions, winner Allows Him Travel Abroad Police Arraign Two Personnel over Killing of NSCDC Officer Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday varied the bail conditions it granted to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro (SAN), by allowing him to freely travel abroad for his foreign engagements.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa ordered the release of Usoro’s International Passport and directed that he should inform the office of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) anytime he would want to travel out of the country.

The judge varied Usoro’s bail conditions following an application by his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

Usoro is facing a 10-count charge bordering on fraud.

The charge was preferred by the EFCC. The anti-graft agency accused Usoro and some others of laundering N1.4 billion belonging to Akwa Ibom State Government.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

Also named in the charge is Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State, who is described in the charge as being “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution”.

Other defendants are the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General of Akwa Ibom, Mfon Udomah; the state Attorney-General, Uwemedimo

Nwoko, and one Margaret Ukpe.

EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the application to vary the bail conditions but urged the court to order that the defendant should drop his International Passport on arrival from any journey.

He argued that it would be difficult to have the defendant in court if his travel would clash with his trial.

However, Olanipekun assured the court that proceedings would prevail over any Usoro’s overseas travel in the event of a clash.

The judge adjourned the case to May 10 to enable the Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom and the three others to respond to a counter-motion filed by the prosecution.

Counsel to the accountantgeneral, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said he needed time to respond to EFCC’s countermotion to his application for vacation of a bench warrant against his client.

He said that he received the counter motion on Monday.

Also, counsel for Akwa Ibom governor, Dr. Charles Mekwunye, submitted that he filed an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case.

He said he filed the application on March 3, and received EFCC’s reply on April 15.

Mekwunye said that he was still putting together a response.

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Police yesterday charged to court two traffic wardens, Idoko Sunday, and Katdel Dabit, following their complicity in the death of an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The duo clubbed to death, a staff of the NSCDC, the late ASC Ogar Jumbo, in the presence of his family, in spite of repeated pleas from the wife and children.

Forensic analysis by a pathologist as seen in the autopsy report clearly traced the cause of death to injuries inflicted on the deceased during his encounter with the traffic wardens.

Specifically, the autopsy report states in part that the death “was due to blunt force injury to the head and multiple skin and soft tissue injuries on the fore head and face”.

The autopsy report concluded that “there was no natural disease in the body to sufficiently explain the sudden death”.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, said the two policemen were charged to court following their complicity in the death of the NSCDC officer.

The statement signed by Force PRO, Frank Mbah, said the duo were subjected to orderly room trial and dismissed before their arraignment.

“In keeping with the assurances by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to ensure a transparent, accountable, comprehensive and speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the late ASC Ogar Jumbo, an Assistant Superintendent of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Police have today (yesterday) arraigned in court the two traffic wardens, TW GII Idoko Sunday and TW GII Katdel Dabit, for complicity in the unfortunate death of the NSCDC Officer.

“The arraignment of the erstwhile traffic wardens is

sequel to the outcome of investigation into the case of alleged discreditable conduct and unlawful exercise of authority reported against them on March 20, 2019. The former traffic wardens had earlier been subjected to the internal disciplinary procedures of the force, tried in an orderly room, and dismissed before the arraignment. Police investigations positively indicted them for assault and excessive use of force on the deceased after his arrest”, the police statement read.

The police while regretting the incident, maintained that the police high command would not allow perpetrators of such acts to go unpunished.

Female Corps Member Collapses, Dies in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Tragedy struck yesterday in Bauchi State as a female National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member, Magdalene Yohanna, collapsed at the NYSC orientation camp and later died few minutes after she was rushed to Abubakar

Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi.

THISDAY checks revealed that this was barely four days after the 2019 Batch A corps members reported for the three weeks orientation course at the Wailo camp in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of state.

Investigations revealed that on April 1, Magdalene had reportedly complained to NYSC officials about her protracted asthma and how she would not be fit to attend the ‘morning meditation’, but her complainants fell on deaf ears.

Against her will, she

was forced to attend the ‘meditation’ and collapsed few minutes later. She was immediately attended to by corps members’ doctors and nurses, but when attempts to resuscitate her were not yielding results, she was rushed to ATBUTH to save her life.

Olowo of Owo in Ondo Joins Ancestors James Sowole in Akure A first class traditional ruler in Ondo State, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru –Olagbegi, has joined his ancestors.

Though, there was no official information from the palace yet

on the demise of the first class monarch, THISDAY gathered that he died on Tuesday night.

The late monarch who was aged 77, was the eldest son of his late father, Sir Olateru Olagbegi.

He was given staff of office on December 11, 2003 by the

late Governor Olusegun Agagu.

Olateru-Olagbegi, a lawyer, was appointed Chancellor of University of Benin in 2005 and later Chancellor, University of Abuja.

He was until his death, the Chancellor of University of Jos. A family source, who spoke

on condition of anonymity disclosed that the Olowo died on Tuesday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State after an illness.

As at the time of filing this report, elders of the ancient town were holding meeting in the ancient palace.

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Tears as Nasarawa Bury 16 Persons Killed by Herdsmen Military apprehends 11 suspected bandits, recovers 37 weapons Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia Tears and anger overwhelmed Nasarawa community yesterday as 16 victims of the suspected Fulani herdsmen massacred in community were laid to rest in KochumNuma village of AKwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

This is coming as troops of the ‘Operation Whirl Strokes’ said it has apprehended11 suspected bandits and recovered 37 assorted weapons during its recent operation in

the state.

A total of 16 out of the 17 victims of the attack were buried after the performance of Christian rites.

One of the deceased, believed to be a Muslim, was the Disco Jokey at the naming ceremony where the suspected Fulani militias attacked and killed the celebrants last Sunday, and was buried according to Islamic rites a day after the mass killings.

The mass burial which was held in the afternoon after the deceased bodies were removed

from the Akwanga General Hospital mortuary to the village for final internment, was a moment of grief for both family members, relatives, friends and other sympathisers as they were seen weeping profusely over the gruesome departure of their loved ones.

It was reported that no fewer than 17 persons were gruesomely massacred last Sunday night when suspected Fulani herders opened fire on them in Kochum-Numa village in Akwanga council area while

they a naming ceremony was taking place, even as several others were wounded and are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals across the state.

The state Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, paid a condolence to the traditional ruler of Mada, Samson Gamu-Yare, before being led to the Akwanga General Hospital where most of the deceased bodies were kept, and sympathised with families of the victims and

the Mada people, pledging his government’s commitment to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act within days.

Al-Makura pleaded with the affected people to remain calm while the law enforcement agencies carry out investigations and possible arrest of the culprits.

Meanwhile, troops of the Operation Whirl Strokes said they have apprehended 11 suspected bandits and recovered 37 assorted weapons during its recent operation in

the state.

Commander of the troops, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, disclosed this yesterday in Lafia at a press briefing, adding that there were nine operations that the troops carried out in the past five weeks from March 9 to April 17 in the state.

The commander explained that the operation covered four local government areas of Nasarawa State-Toto, Doma, Obi and Awe, where the 37 weapons were recovered.

Gunmen Kill Former Anambra Lawmaker State govt pledges N5m reward for information on killers David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Unknown gunmen numbering four, last Tuesday night killed former Anambra State House of Assembly member and who was former state Chairman of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Frank-Anthony Igboka, at Oye Nimo market.

To apprehend the killers, the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has announced a N5 million reward for anyone who could proffer useful information that can lead to the killers.

The gunmen, who were said to have trailed Igboka in a Hilux van, accosted the former lawmaker while he was driving through the community market square at about 8p.m., shot him severally in the head and chest before driving off.

Before his death, Igboka, who was also the President General of Nimo community, helped rid the community of criminal elements.

Sources said the killing of Igboka racked of a targeted assassination as it was gathered

that the gunmen neither robbed shops around the area nor took any of his possessions.

Meanwhile, police in the state have confirmed his death, saying investigation has been opened on the matter with a view to apprehending and prosecuting his killers.

A statement by the spokesperson of the police command, SP Haruna Mohammed, stated that: “At about 8:18 p.m. of April 16, there was sporadic gunshot around Nimo market in Njikoka LGA of the state.

“Police patrol team attached to Nimo division rushed to the scene and discovered one Chief Frank Anthony Igboka on the driver’s seat of his Chevrolet SUV vehicle lying unconscious in the pool of his blood while his body was riddled with bullet wounds.

“The victim was rushed to Beke Hospital in Nimo where he was confirmed dead by the medical doctor while his corpse was deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

Release Okorocha’s Certificate of Return, MPO Tells INEC Ugo Aliogo Missionaries Pastors Organisation (MPO) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the certificate of return to the Senator-elect of Imo West senatorial district, Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, the National President of the group, Prophet Emmanuel Stephen, noted that the proper thing to do is to issue the certificate of return to Okorocha, stating that if anybody is offended, the individual should go to court.

Stephen, who was represented

by Archbishop Onyeagoziri Okeugo, noted that as the electoral umpire, INEC should show a high level of integrity in the issue, adding that the eye of the international community is observing what has been unfolding in Nigeria.

“We are calling on INEC to take note that the eye of international community is watching. Even a common man in the street knows that politics is being played

somehow. Also, to compliment with the spirit of integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari, who stands against corruption, I hereby on behalf of MPO call for the release of Okorocha certificate of return,” the cleric said.

Okorocha had stated that INEC does not have any moral or constitutional justification to withhold his certificate of return by acting on a mere allegation by the returning officer, Prof.

Innocent Ibeabuchi, who might be playing a script by his political enemies.

According to him, “I cannot understand how a mere allegation of an individual talking under duress, which has not been proven by anybody, will stop INEC from giving me my certificate of return for an election that I won properly.

“I cannot understand why a report of a professor who lied will now be taken more than the report of the Nigeria Police and the State Security Service (SSS) that there was no crisis during the election.

The returning officer should therefore be called to order.”

SIGNING A NEW MEGA DEAL…

L-R: Executive Director, Sahara Group, Temitope Shonubi (sitting); Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tijani Muhammad-Bandé (standing); Administrator, UNDP, Achim Steiner (standing); Regional Director for Africa, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa (sitting); during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Sustainable Energy and the SDGs in Africa, in New York, USA…recently

Police to Charge LADOL Guard with Murder over Killing of Korean Peter Uzoho Following the fatal shooting of a Korean employee of SHI-MCI FZE at the LADOL Free Zone on April 8, the police have resolved to charge the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel guarding the free zone to court for murder.

The NSCDC operative also shot and killed his colleague also guarding the free zone, before he shot the Korean employee.

The decision to charge the gunman to court was the outcome of a police report issued by a Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, Lagos.

The police report, which was sighted by THISDAY, was signed by Yetunde O. Longe, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and dated April

16, 2019.

According to the report of the police investigation, the NSCDC operative, Innocent Oshemi, shot and killed the Korean SHI-MCI employee with his official G5 rifle while on duty at the LADOL Free Zone.

The coroner confirmed that the victim died as a result of injuries received from the gunshot, including ‘penetrating missile injury to the body.’

The police report concluded that there is a case of murder of the Korean SHI-MCI FZE employee established against the gunman by the available evidence.

According to the report, the gunman will be charged with murder and the case file will be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

At a press-conference held in Lagos, which was attended by the family of the Korean

victim, the Managing Director of Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN), Mr. Jejin Jeon, said, “SHIN would ensure that LADOL and the NSCDC are held accountable for any organisational and management failing that allowed the gunman to carry out this terrible crime in the LADOL Free Zone.”

Jeon also showed CCTV of the shooting of the Nigerian guard and Korean employee to journalists assembled for the press-conference.

The CCTV clearly showed that the LADOL guard fired deliberately at his NSCDC colleague, killing him with three shots at the scene, before moving away to a different location where he also deliberately shot the Korean employee that had been working in a crawler crane within the SHI-MCI yard.

SHI stated that the CCTV and the decision of the Police to

charge the suspect with murder is further proof that statements

by LADOL and the NSCDC made after the shooting, namely that the shooting of the guard and the SHI-MCI FZE employee was in error, are false.

Also, the Chief Operating Officer of SHIN, Mr. Frank Ejizu, commended DCP Longe, and her team for their thorough investigation of the evidence of this case. ‘’This will result in the perpetrator of this terrible crime being charged for his acts. We invite the Director of Public Prosecutions to conduct a transparent and fair assessment of the evidence and to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done.

“The international business community will also be watching this case closely to determine whether Nigeria remains a safe working environment for their employees.” Ejizu explained

Ihedioha Seeks Commonwealth’s Cooperation Amby Uneze in Owerri Imo State Governor-elect, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has solicited the support and cooperation of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CEIC), in the United Kingdom .

Ihedioha, who was at the council’s office in the United

Kingdom, on a high-level strategic business meeting, said he was there to discuss areas of cooperation and assistance to Imo State by the member-states when he assumes office.”

He described the meeting as fruitful and forward-looking, with expected strategic cooperation in key areas of

wealth creation, agriculture, investment and other critical areas geared towards enhancing and developing potential for the economic development of the state.

The council is an investment arm of the Commonwealth nations.

The council congratulated the governor-

elect on his victory at the polls and committed to supporting the state in the areas of: SMEs, investment promotion, agricultural potential, encouraging commonwealth investors to the state, and making Imo State an investment hub among others.

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NEWSEXTRA

NAF Special Forces Kill Two Bandits, Secure Two Villages Military arrests five kidnappers, rescues five hostages in Ondo Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Nigerian Air Force (NAF)’s Special Forces yesterday killed two armed bandits after a

fierce exchange of gunfire in Rafi and Doka villages of Mada District in Gusau Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.

According to NAF’s statement, the 207 Quick Response Group, which was deployed to the area subsequently secured the

two settlements.

This is coming as troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army have arrested five kidnappers and rescued

Customs Intercepts 113 Cars, Other Contraband Worth N2bn Eromosele Abiodun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, yesterday announced that it seized smuggled items including 113 cars worth over N2 billion within three months.

Top on the seized items include banned drugs such as Tramadol, Codeine and Diclofenac, Paracetamol injection without NAFDAC number, chest and lung tablets, and 13,810 bags

of foreign smuggled rice.

The Area Comptroller of the unit, Compt. Mohammed Aliyu who announced the seizures in a chat with journalists in Lagos, said the command was motivated to pursue the enforcement of the federal government against drugs bandits and smugglers because of the need to put smugglers and economic saboteurs out of business.

While calling on smugglers to be aware of the harm they

are doing to their fellow citizens, he said the customs would not relent on its effort but would continue to enforce the mandate of the government for the good of all.

He added that his men were even more determined, following the recent award of recognition on him and his command by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), held at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, Abuja, recently.

According to him, “I know that you are aware that we were given a merit award by NAFDAC, which was like a national award. This award motivates me and the command to work hard in ensuring that the federal government’s policy on hard drugs and smuggling is curbed. Therefore, we will not relent but continue to fight these smugglers determined to frustrate the federal government policy on smuggled items, “he said

five hostages in Jugbere Village in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

In an update on the war against armed banditry in Zamfara and other North-west states, NAF said the special forces encountered heavy gunfire from the bandits.

“In response to reports that high profile armed bandits were gathering around Rafi and Doka villages of Mada District in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State, which is under the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the 207 Quick Response Group (207 QRG), a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces (SF) team was dispatched to the area yesterday to secure the two settlements and thwart the bandits’ plans.

“Upon arrival at the location, the NAF SF team

encountered resistance in the form of heavy gunfire from the bandits. However, the brave SF personnel employed superior tactics to outlast the bandits, who were soon low on ammunition, before engaging and overpowering them.

“Two bandits were neutralised in the process while others fled with gunshot wounds. Since then, the SF Team has been conducting aggressive patrols in the area, especially the fringes of the forest, to forestall any reprisal attack,” a NAF statement said.

Meanwhile, troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army located in Akure, have arrested five kidnappers and rescued five hostages following reports it received of nine kidnap incidents in the area.

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Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE

Atiku Abubakar is a Nigerian, writes Louis Okoroma

O

nce again, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its lackluster government has shown that they are bereft of knowledge of even the history of the country.

When the news went round that the APC while presenting its argument at the Presidential Election Tribunal sitting over the election case brought against it by the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said that Atiku Abubakar is not a Nigerian citizen but a Cameroonian, because he was not born in Nigeria, I was taken aback. Has the ruling party become a children’s party to give such information to a tribunal whose work is of a public nature?

It seems that common sense of the APC delegation or defence team at the tribunal failed them abysmally when they uttered that travesty. Atiku Abubakar comes from Adamawa State where he has been Governor-elect before being elevated to the distinguished position of a Vice President of Nigeria, and a holder of the country’s second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

Adamawa State is the second of the 36 States listed in the First Schedule, section three of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as constituting the component parts of the Federation of Nigeria. Let’s assume that the top echelon of the party and even the Presidency were busy thinking of how to inflict more hardship on ordinary Nigerians by increasing the pump price of fuel, what of the young Turks of the party and the government who are always on the internet abusing Atiku? It seems that the internet warriors of the party and government because of the problem of falling education standard and rabid dislike of Atiku Abubakar whose noble ways contradict the crude manners for which the APC is known, there were no people in the party and government sober enough to call the rest to order. Now, this nonsense about a former Vice President of Nigeria being a Cameroonian has gone out to the World thereby exposing the deep ignorance and poor education that characterize the APC people and their government.

If Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria is not a Nigerian citizen as the APC would want us believe, it means the party has served notice to many leading Nigerians from Adamawa, Taraba and Borno States, who were not born in Nigeria before independence to start thinking of where they come from! Among these people are many members of the APC party like Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to Federal Government and the Chief of Army Staff, General Buratai and others too numerous to list.

The most laughable aspect of the presentation of the Area Boys’ Party, the APC at the Presidential Election Tribunal is that apparently, all the party chiefs, their high officials in the government and their internet warriors do not know that it is not only by birth in a country that somebody becomes a citizen of a country. Among the diverse ways to become a citizen of a country include: naturalisation, registration, presidential decree or grant or when a country acquires territory in which case, millions of people at once become citizens of another country recognised under both municipal and international law.

Atiku Abubakar and his generation including their parents became Nigerian citizens through the last method when millions of people in the then Northern Camerouns became Nigerian citizens after a special vote for that purpose, supervised by the defunct United Nations Trusteeship Council,

AMONG THE DIVERSE WAYS TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF A COUNTRY INCLUDE: NATURALISATION, REGISTRATION, PRESIDENTIAL DECREE OR GRANT OR WHEN A COUNTRY ACQUIRES TERRITORY IN WHICH CASE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AT ONCE BECOME CITIZENS OF ANOTHER COUNTRY

not INEC, in 1961. Originally a German colony, the British and French invaded the colony of Cameroun at the outbreak of World War One and quickly subdued it. They agreed to divide the territory between them. This division was confirmed by a League of Nations Mandate after the war.

They were referred to as the Northern and Southern Camerouns. Both of them were administered from the neighbouring colony of Nigeria. In 1954 both parts were joined to the Nigeria colony. However at independence only the Northern part remained with Nigeria, the Southern part joined the Republic of Cameroon, following the same plebiscite of 1961.

It should be noted that the Northern Cameroons, was neither a colony nor protectorate of Northern Nigeria, but a mandate of the League of Nations (1922 - 1945) and later, a trusteeship territory of the United Nations (1945-1961) handed to Britain to administer after Germany was defeated by the allied forces in the First and the Second World Wars. At the close of colonisation and the independence of most African countries, particularly the British colony, Nigeria and the French colony, Cameroon in 1960, the political future of the Northern Cameroons as an integral part of Nigeria was actualized by the plebiscite of 1961.

The question now arises as to why did the APC, the Presidency and their handlers commit this tragic error? Could it be that they thought that the UN plebiscite is like the elections which they organize under INEC which are usually inconclusive and hence can be nullified in a competent court or they do not know their own country’s history? If it is the latter, then it is tragic indeed!

Atiku Abubakar, a Man of God by his many good deeds, was born on November 25, 1945 in Jada local government of Adamawa State. Atiku Abubakar’s father was from Sokoto state and later travelled to Borno for farming and trading activities as is the practice among the Fulani people.

Later, his family settled in Jada which is now Jada local government of Adamawa State.

After his education, he joined the Nigeria Customs and worked for 20 years, rising to the position of a Deputy Director and second-in-command of the para-military outfit. On April 30, 1989, the law abiding Atiku paid the mandatory three months’ salary and left the Customs.

Atiku’s political odyssey, triumphs and failures are entertaining and put the toga of troublemaker on any person or group that questions his citizenship. Such nonsense has been done in the past by mercenary politicians in the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the second republic, who have resurrected in the APC, when then president, the late Shehu Shagari was misled by his party hawks to deport to neighbouring Chad, the then Majority Leader of the Borno State House of Assembly, Alhaji Shugaba Abdurrahman Darma. The NPN people lied to themselves that Shugaba, a hard fighting politician and member of the defunct Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP), was not a Nigerian citizen. The Supreme Court eventually quashed the ill-fated case, following the footsteps of the Maiduguri High Court and the Federal Court of Appeal, Kaduna.

Atiku’s politics is so profound and far-reaching that many Nigerians would attest to his willingness to assist both individuals and political parties in the hours of their need. He has also fought many political and legal battles to deepen democracy, human rights and the rule of law as well as engaged in good causes that has improved the lives of the downtrodden and oppressed peasants in Northern Nigeria.

Okoroma, a Public Affairs Analyst, wrote from Abuja

MAXIMISING PERFORMANCE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE Synergy holds the key to peak performance, writes Akintola Benson Oke

G

eorge Lizos, a student at the Imperial Business School, wrote of his journey to believing in the power of synergy as follows: “I was never a big fan of teamwork. Being a naturally-inclined leader, I always felt that I could do things best on my own, and dismissed collaboration as a sign of weakness.” In his book: “Success Intelligence”, Robert Holden refers to this compulsive urge for self-sufficiency as the ‘By Myself Syndrome.’

According to Holden, “people who suffer from ‘By Myself Syndrome’ are lousy at asking for help. They are blind to opportunities for support. They are blocked by their inability to get past themselves.”

Continuing, George Lizos said, “irreverently refusing to embrace the truth behind this concept, I skipped the entire chapter in the book and rendered it irrelevant to me or my success. It wasn’t until a year and countless of burnouts later, that I finally decided to give up my ego and give in to teamwork.

Having thrown myself into the heavily team-based MSc Management course at Imperial, I had the perfect chance to re-visit my rigid viewpoints. Although the transition from Me to Us was challenging at first, I was eventually awakened to the benefits of working in a team and came to see teamwork as one of the most important aspects to success.”

Indeed, synergy holds the key to maximum and ultimate performance. Stephen Covey, the bestselling author and management consultant said, “Synergy is what happens when one plus one equals ten or a hundred or even a thousand! It is the profound result when two or more respectful human beings determine to go beyond their preconceived ideas to meet a great challenge.”[1] Expatiating on the value of synergy, Stephen Covey said, “synergy is better than

my way or your way. It is our way.”

I have surveyed the views of many business thought leaders on the concept and value of synergy.

Permit me to begin by briefly sharing the thoughts of these leaders. Mark Twain described synergy as the “bonus that is achieved when things work together harmoniously.” “Synergy is everywhere in nature,” another observer noted. “If you plant two plants close together, the roots commingle and improve the quality of the soil so that both plants will grow better than if they were separated. If you put two pieces of wood together, they will hold much more than the total weight held by each separately. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. One plus one equals three or more.” Drawing from his extensive wealth of hands-on knowledge, Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Hellen Keller opined that “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” And Michael Jordan posited that, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” I am sure you can appreciate the wisdom of the Lagos State administration in recognising the importance of team work and synergy in achieving corporate objectives. This also represents the commitment of the Governor to fully assist the Lagos State Civil Service to appreciate and acquire the benefits that trainings bring to bear on the attainment of the strategic objectives of the government and the effectiveness of the institutions of the Lagos State Civil Service. The Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions is the government’s agent and trusted partner in this regard, and you can be assured that the ministry will continue to devote time and resources to the acquisition of all relevant skills by the officers of the Lagos State Civil Service.

Of all the commentators, Carlos Ghosn made the best attempt to describe the wider benefits of synergy and team work when he stated that, “synergies are not only about cost reduction. Synergies can be access to markets, exchange of products, avoiding overlaps, and exchange of best practices.” And Babara Max Hubbard allayed the fear of those who think synergy would result in the loss of individuality. He rightly noted that, “Synergy does not mean giving up what we want. It means joining to co-create so each is able to receive ever more of what attracts us through joining rather than opposing.” Having been converted on the indispensability of synergy to achieving maximum performance, George Lizos came up with what he referred to as “the three most important factors to creating effective team synergy.”

He described as follows: “Diversity: Coming from a different geography, educational background, and having been exposed to a distinctive set of life-experiences, affords each team member with a unique perspective to dealing with a situation. It is when these uniquely diverse experiences merge in the co-creative environment of a team, that the magic happens. Sharing their diverse perspectives, not only provides team members with a more nuanced analysis of a situation; it also allows them to expand on each others’ ideas to create something entirely new.”

“Creativity: Talent and creativity are two wholly different things. Unfortunately, the similarity of these two terms holds many people apart from their inherent creativity. When we perceive every thought we have and every action we take as creative, we realize that creativity is not a gift of the few, but an intrinsic quality of every single one of us. The key to unleashing team creativity is to, first, release our

limiting beliefs and perceptions of what creativity should be like, and second, to establish a safe and encouraging environment for team members to test-drive their ideas, make mistakes, and think out of the box.”

“Focus: The metaphysical Law of Attraction states that “like attracts like.” This implies that the longer we focus our consciousness on a particular idea, the more that idea expands. In fact, Abraham-Hicks suggests that “genius is just attention to something specific,” implying that by deliberately focusing our attention on a topic, we create a powerful momentum of attraction of people, knowledge and information, which allows us to evolve in its direction. With a focused attention on the task at hand, diversity and creativity can best be utilized to create a co-creative environment that breeds team synergy, and gives rise to innovative ideas for success.”

While George Lizos described the factors for describing effective team synergy, Luis E. Romero identified the factors that make synergy work. He said, “Just as the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons define the potential for chemical synergy, the combination of common interests, common values, and complementary talents defines the potential for team synergy.” He thereafter elucidated on these identified factors as follows: Common interests.

When people share common interests, they align their individual efforts toward the same goal. More specifically, they find personal affinities that help them work together, seek opportunities to leverage each other’s talents, and measure the results of their collective efforts with respect to their common goal.

Dr. Benson Oke is Lagos State Commissioner, Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019

EDITORIAL The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Conundrum The Lagos-Ibadan expressway deserves urgent attention

T

he Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is yet another expression of our tragic state as a country. The 127.6-kilometre dual-carriage highway has in the last decade been a nightmare to both motorists and commuters. Launched in August 1978 with fanfare by the then military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo when there were yet very few vehicles plying the road, it is appalling that 41 years after, this strategic road now constitutes a source of anguish and torment to its users.

Attempts to reconstruct the road in the past 15 years by successive governments have been characterised by a range of controversies. Whereas it was initially meant to be reconstructed through a concession agreement between the federal government and Bi-Courtney, former President Goodluck Jonathan was compelled to revoke the concession agreement in FREQUENT FATAL November 2012 ACCIDENTS AND following the failure of Bi-Courtney TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK to commence the ON THE ROAD OFTEN CAUSE MOTORISTS AND reconstruction three years after.

COMMUTERS GRIEF AND In July 2013, the PAINS government formally flagged off the reconstruction of the road with 2017 as delivery date. Almost six years after, the reconstruction arrangement which includes extension of the road from the hitherto four-lane to an eight-lane highway is far from being completed. The attendant effects have been frequent fatal accidents and consequent traffic gridlock which often cause motorists and commuters grief and pains.

On April 2, this year for instance, motorists and travellers groaned helplessly for hours following an accident which occurred on Ibafo end of the road.

The situation became more chaotic when impatient

Letters to the Editor

motorists opted to drive against the traffic. Most disturbing is that despite being handled by two contractors, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) and Julius Berger, the reconstruction has been unusually slow. Last year, Julius Berger announced that the project would not be completed earlier than 2021, eight years after the reconstruction started, and signifying more years of agony ahead.

T T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

he Lagos - Ibadan expressway is very strategic because it is one road which connects all parts of the country. It links the North to the Southwest, South-east and South-south. The North, for instance, has its farm produce market in Lagos that can only be linked by the highway while industries which serve all parts of the country are located in Lagos or Ogun State. As the busiest road in the country, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) once reported that at least 25,000 vehicles ply the road every hour.

But the undue delay in the reconstruction efforts is costing the nation so much in terms of lives and time, aspects the authorities do not seem to taken into consideration. In the 2017 budget for instance, instead of using their oversight power to speed up the completion of the project, the National Assembly slashed the allocation from N31 billion to N10 billion.

In saner climes, authorities embark on projects in strict consciousness of the level of discomfort and inconveniences they will cause citizens. Hence, adequate measures are deliberately put in place to cushion the effects of such inconveniences during execution period.

We therefore challenge the federal government to pay required attention to this project and show utmost concern about the lives being wasted on the road on a regular basis. While we commend the Buhari administration for the efforts on road and rail projects across the country, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway should be seen as a priority project.

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TIGER WOODS AND THE REWARD OF RESILIENCE

I

don’t really fancy the game of golf. It looks somehow too elitist. For me, football, boxing, basketball, wrestling, athletics and rugby, among others, are more fascinating sports.

But then, the personality, competitiveness and successes of American Tiger Woods endeared me to golf.

For years, Woods was the face of golf. In 1997, he brought world focus to the sport when he won his first Masters by a record 12 shots. As a result of this feat, golf players became fitter, prize money increased while awareness of the game swelled considerably. Without a doubt, Woods has been to golf what the likes of Pele, Maradona, Messi and Christiano Ronaldo are to football. In contemporary time, Woods has given golf a breadth of fresh air, something refreshingly exciting.

Naturally, it wasn’t quite long before Woods began to swim in fame and wealth. Major sponsors began to queue behind themselves to have him endorse their products. Soon, the great golfer became superbly rich and famous. Meanwhile, as Woods was doing well for himself, the game of golf was equally making wave. People of all ages, across the globe, became more attracted to golf as a result of Woods’ larger than life public image.

Soon, Woods transcended the game and became an iconic sporting figure, widely celebrated by sports fans across the world. He became the number one sporting personality in the world. He was loved, admired and adored by many. By now, he has remarkably transited from the 1997 rookie that won his first major to a superstar who called the shot in global sports. For

years, he was world number one golfer, breaking records upon records. A star has not only been born, but a shining star is on the horizon soaring higher and higher.

But then, suddenly and like an overblown balloon that suddenly dissolves in the air, Woods world came crashing without giving any sign, at least to the public. It all began in 2009. Early that year, at the US PGA, the legendary golfer had failed to seal the win for the first time in his major career, losing to South Korea’s YE Yang. Unknowingly, that was just the beginning of years of many troubles for Woods.

Later in 2009, news of a great brawl between Woods and his wife, over alleged extra-marital affairs, broke out. There were reports of Woods storming out of their home in Florida, in obvious rage, and hitting his car on an object in a dramatic road crash that was to open the floodgate of more troubles for Woods. Found asleep at the wheel of his car at the side of a road in Palm Beach, Florida, pictures and dash cam video of a perplexed and bewildered Woods were flashed around the world. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was put on a diversion programme, but from that lowest point, Woods’ descent has just begun.

Before long, women of all shapes, heights and colours began to come into the open to expose tales of diverse sexual escapades with the golf megastar. One thing led to the other, a bitter divorce suit between him and his estranged wife followed and eventually, Woods nearly lost all his earnings from the

game he loved so much. Major sponsors started revoking their sponsorship deals with Woods on moral grounds.

Woods tried hard to get his way back to becoming the great golfer he used to be, but it was never to be. In 2013, his problem became compounded as a fearful back injury that nearly truncated his golfing career resurfaced. His world ranking plunged so significantly that he dropped from formerly being World number one to being outside the top 1,000!

But then, as it is often said, it is not over until it is over. Yes, that was the astonishing account of Woods’ recent comeback that has continued to resonate across the world. A few days back, the Tiger roared back in style to global reckoning Woods clinched his fifth Masters and 15th major title to seal one of the greatest comeback stories in global sporting history. The 43-year-old braved his way through a closely filled leader board to win by one shot at Augusta for his first major title in 11 years and first Masters win since 2005.

His latest breathtaking triumph puts the former world number one just three majors behind the all-time record of Jack Nicklaus. Only fellow American Nicklaus has won more Masters, with six.

And suddenly, the world remembers Woods again. The main lesson in the Woods trajectory is that nothing is too strong to stop a determined and focus person.

Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2019

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2019

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)

‘The Real Owners of Rivers State are in Tears’

Nseobong Okon-Ekong dialogues with Tonye Princewill, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, who argues that following the return of Governor Nyesom Wine as winner of the 2019 governorship election, his party and its allies avoided bloodshed by refusing to take matters into their hands

T

he process of the Rivers State governorship election has finally been concluded and Governor Nyesom Wike has emerged winner. What do you say about that?

What has happened so far teaches me a lot of things. One. Some Nigerians do not care enough about corruption. At least, not enough to call a spade a spade when they see it. We all know what transpired, even if we don’t know the details. Yet, we put it down to how things are, in Nigeria, in Rivers state, even when we don’t really know how things are in Rivers state. Second. Many Nigerians do not care how you win, as long as you win. You can kill and maim your way to power and it won’t matter to them, they will gladly shake the blood stained hands of the winner and bow down in loyalty.

Let the politicians sort themselves out.

‘After all they are all the same.’ Our moral compass have so ossified to the point where winning is more important than how you win. The outrage of what led to INEC’s declaration is shared by many, but not enough. Some of us have elected to do something about it. All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing isn’t a cliche for us. While INEC was telling everyone the election was suspended, the certificates of return for PDP candidates were already written and dated. When we raised the alarm, INEC denied it. Look at the certificates issued. Date is March 14. Our point has been proved. Sheer arrogance. This is the kind of motivation we need.

Your party, the APC did not participate but it adopted the AAC candidate.

The result shows Wike winning the combined forces of the APC and AAC with over 700,000 votes. What does that say about the people making a choice?

There is no correlation between that result and Rivers people. Unless it is in the minds of the ignorant or the complicit.

If like some, you believe that the end justifies the means, it is convenient to disregard how that result was arrived at.

But those who know better aren’t fooled.

You say 700,000 votes, yet you ignore that one LGA, Wike’s own LGA, accounted for over 300,000 votes unchallenged.

All these happened after Wike stormed its collation centre where a soldier was shot, yet another was critically injured with a machete and AAC agents taken hostage while electoral materials where carted away. An LGA where such occurred really had no business being accepted by INEC. But it was. Hook, line and with 300,000 votes. The list of high crimes by INEC and PDP continued across the other LGAs, but the APC government let it be.

If we the people had then taken matters into our own hands, people would have died and the neutral observer would have said we in Rivers state are savages.

But they forget that you can only push a man so far. I don’t blame Wike, it’s his nature. I blame his accomplices. Wike already has what is coming to him, but they too must answer for this show of shame. They cannot escape it. Never.

The INEC Chairman and Wike go back to when the governor was Minister of Education and it showed. How did they get result sheets to announce results for LGAs where they had already publicly announced? How come certificates of return were prepared before collation was complete? What happened to the rogue collation officers whose photographs we paraded before the nation? Do their results still stand? All these questions and more still remain.

Princewill

This election was held on March 9, it took 24 days to fully collate and announce the result. Is that normal, what happened?

It isn’t normal. And yet some expect a normal result to emerge from such an abnormal process? INEC suspended a whole election in an entire state against the provisions of an electoral act and it stood. Our cries were dismissed and our voices ignored. Nobody listened.

Amaechi is one man. If PDP and internal saboteurs cannot forgive him, should the entire state be made to suffer? Do our elders and youths have to be subjected to a Wike administration for another four years because of your hate for Amaechi?

What did he do to you? Did he tell you he wants to run for President in 2023? What did we do to you? Every life in Rivers state is valuable and so we will not rest until they are given the opportunity to realize their full potential. Some of the people lining up to stab Amaechi today were the beneficiaries of his good heart yesterday. In some cases, he even saved their lives!! Disagree, even deny him any advantage if you like, but don’t forget tomorrow, even if you have forgotten yesterday. Why demonize him constantly even when he is silent. What use is it to you to and why take out your pound of flesh from the back of innocent Rivers people? Amaechi will forgive you. But Rivers people won’t.

You raise several objections like that the result should have been announced within 21 days, that INEC kept result sheets in its custody rather than with the CBN. What difference does this make?

The simple answer to your question is our objections made no difference because they interrupted the agenda that was in play. There is a reason why elections are covered by guidelines and transparency is the currency which INEC has to protect. In the Rivers state matter, they exhibited an arrogance of the highest order and made no concession in our favour. None. The blatant disregard they showed is why we cannot let this matter rest. In a very short statement I issued after they declared Wike, I said they have murdered sleep and asked us to go to hell. We have heard them. They too will hear us soon.

You issued a statement after the return of Wike by INEC saying the election will not stand the test of time, what will you do?

We have several options before us and each option will be scrutinized to the full. If this isn’t countered, it will become the norm. By our traditionally low standards, 2019 in Rivers state was a very new low. Therefore there must be consequences. You can ignore a small party and maybe get away with it, but not the APC. Rivers state deserves better than such an organized oppression. We are way too big for that. From day one to declaration, we saw a conspiracy that included judges, security agencies and INEC all lined up to deny a whole party their democratic privilege and a whole state, their proper choice. We will soon see who is more determined.

You have at different times accused Senator Magnus Abe, who is of your party and who was factional governorship candidate of APC of

fraternizing with Wike. How did he do that?

Let me quickly correct you. Abe was an aspirant, not a candidate. And the APC only gave recognition to Tonye Cole as its candidate. So the use of the term factional candidate is like calling someone a factional parent. It won’t fly. I’m not going to discuss Abe at length except to say that when the baby is not your own, it’s death does not affect you. We saw it in the Bible when Solomon confronted the two women over the ownership of a child. We know those who are happy about this hollow victory and we know those who avoided bloodshed to allow it pass. The real owners of Rivers state are in tears. The real friends of Rivers state are sad. The real lovers of Rivers state are in mourning, while those without a stake or conscience are either indifferent or at peace. Let every man take his position. The time to be held accountable will definitely come.

Any message for Rivers people?

To all of you at home and away, I say that the night is darkest just before the dawn. Be hopeful. Wike is a cancer that has to be removed. We know how he got there and we know what has become of our state since he did. Rather than touch our people and develop our state, he has touched the media and developed a skill in propaganda just to remain as governor. Far fewer people died in 2019 than in 2015 by a ratio of over 50 to 1, but looking at many media reports, you won’t see this.

Just hold on to your faith. Our God is not sleeping. What we need is peace, based on justice. I am ready to fight for that. And I know I am not alone.

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POLITICS

‘The Evil Minority in Osun Makes Loudest Noise’ Nseobong Okon-Ekong holds a discussion with Ayo Akinola a publisher, media strategist and aide to immediate past governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. He is the coordinator of an advocacy group, New Osun Renaissance, a mobilization apparatus which worked for the emergence of the new governor, Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola

W

hat does your group stand for?

We are an advocacy group that does political enlightenment from time to time depending on the need. We actually started operation in Lagos under a different nomenclature during the reign of former governor Raji Fashola. If you could cast your mind back, Fashola was having it difficult because the opposition wanted to discredit his greening initiative which in actual fact was for the benefit of everyone.

They claimed that he was neglecting key areas of development as well as taking over land pieces and setbacks which were the traditional but unallocated workplaces of mechanics and others. It was a deep battle and Fashola’s rating was waning through these falsehoods, especially among the grassroots. We came in because we knew that enlightenment cannot be too much and our systemic approach worked. We have a publishing arm because we reckon that we cannot do these things effectively if we do not have our own medium of reaching out.

The media houses on ground sometimes may not share your thoughts and you just have to push these ideas out. At the end of the day, we published about three editions of our magazine, Development & Policy under the titles Lagos Wealth Report and The Lagos Environment. This was between 2011 and 2013 when another call of duty took us to Abuja and to the South east for another one year. In the case of Osun, during the trying days of Ogbeni’s regime in the hands of the opposition, in 2014 and especially in 2015, doing all they could to malign his government, we used the popular media as well as other platforms to reach out to the grassroots and coined a slogan, ‘Truth of the Matter’, and we published the maiden edition titled ‘Osun:Truth of The Matter’. This was a slogan we coined to showcase the facts as they were then. Just as the ‘O to ge’ slogan worked magic for Kwarans, ‘Osun Truth of The Matter,’ as well as other government efforts exposed their lies and presented the true situation. Through that publication and other follow-ups still in circulation today, the public have seen through their lies. But the opposition, in collaboration with enemies of the state in all strata, has always preferred to put up lies and turn facts upside down. You will remember that most Nigerians believed these people because certain section of the media chose not to do investigative reporting.

When people come to Osun, right from the Asejire Dam that borders the state with Oyo, they start to notice incredible infrastructural deployments, different from where they were coming from and the lies they’ve been told.

Same goes for the other border ends. So, it now becomes a pleasant surprise seeing what they least expect because they’ve been told too many lies.

I can vividly recall that some fact-finding groups came to Osun to verify facts having been told that what Aregbesola was showcasing in the media was not real…that they were internet pictures from America and Europe.

And really, if you see these things yourself without coming to Osun, you would hardly believe that a government so disparaged will put up such quality structures for real.

Same goes for anything that Aregbesola had his hands on. Look at the schools, the roads as well as other infrastructure.

You’ve painted a colourful picture of the legacies of the former government.

Why then was it difficult for the party to have a smooth win in the September 2018 election?

The September 2018 election which you refer to here was won squarely by the APC despite what happened. It may seem otherwise for someone not familiar with the evil politics of a few people in Osun. I say this bearing in mind that in any social situation, it is the evil minority that always make the

Akinola loudest noise and create havoc which are erroneously linked to the majority. If there is a student riot or unrest, those behind it are mostly less than one percent of the total students’ population. And it will be presented to the outside world as if it is the majority of the students that are bad or against school authority as the case may be.

My team and I almost fell into this thinking.

During the campaigns, Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC team played it fair and saw no reason to induce voters because the people were solidly behind them. But the opposition saw the election as a do or die affair. They bribed, bought votes, created chaos, killed, maimed and this situation snowballed into a rerun because there were truly no elections in those seventeen polling units

But because of our trainings as pragmatic social scientists and our being apolitical, we resisted the temptation to just sit down and lay blames. We brought out our tools and did the research which was self-sponsored and we discovered that those whom the old order, pre-Aregbesola era favoured and who couldn’t think of survival in the corrupt-free Aregbesola era were the ones destabilizing the polity. We published our reports in the media.

How do you connect that with what is happening now?

It is the same set of people described earlier and their associates who still want to hijack government now and get through the window, what they couldn’t get through the main door which is the elections. Why the people always reject them is because they have a terribly bad history behind them.

When the PDP was in power, the state was in a siege and the Aregbesola populist cyclone came and warded them off. You don’t expect them not to stage a comeback. This is a democracy. But they ought to have fought for the power in the right way rather than deploying undemocratic forces and means.

How do you mean?

The level of rigging and vote-buying by the opposition during the governorship election of September 2018 was legendary and horrifying. Osun people saw a desperate people trying to hijack power at all costs, leaving morality behind. They were shameless, nakedly shameless that they were openly talking of flooding the state with money when they ought to be telling the people what they will do. You know that in any fight or struggle, the gentleman player or fighter is sometimes the victim because he or she wants to be fair and play according to the rules while the crude fighter inflicts

injury, in order to win at all costs. That is exactly what is playing out today. During the campaigns, Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the APC team played it fair and saw no reason to induce voters because the people were solidly behind them. But the opposition saw the election as a do or die affair. They bribed, bought votes, created chaos, killed, maimed and this situation snowballed into a rerun because there were truly no elections in those seventeen polling units.

But when they finally lost and the true winner emerged, running to the tribunal was what they thought could upturn the will of the people. Many observers saw their going to the tribunal as a mere face-saving activity, especially with the personality of the defeated candidate, his certificate saga and his party’s defeat at the Presidential and National Assembly polls in the state.

What about his party’s colossal loss at the state Assembly polls where they won just three seats against APC’s 23 as well as the candidate’s inability to substantiate most of the allegations at the tribunal?

What is your advice on this impasse?

With the controversial majority verdict which many Nigerians have condemned and the tribunal Chairman’s minority verdict countering same and variously applauded, we believe that the judiciary is still the last hope of our democracy. We hope that the Appeal Court will do the needful and upturn the strange verdict. We cannot afford a stalemate and chaos at this time. The mood of the people of Osun to this strange verdict is sober culminating into popular demonstrations against their strange verdicts in major towns and cities last week. We call on true justice to prevail and that the Appeal Court to right the wrongs, to assuage the feelings of the majority of the people and let government business run smoothly.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͶ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08152252325

Resistance against Water Privatisation in Plateau Rebecca Ejifoma writes that the move by the Plateau State Government to privatise water has been met with stiff resistance from trade unions and civil society organisations, who recently stormed the public hearing on the bill for the water sector law to demand lawmakers expunge the privatisation clause from the draft

The rally before the public hearing in Jos

T

rade unions and civil society groups that participated at the Public Hearing on a bill for a law to provide for the Plateau State water sector law and for other matters connected, have demanded the lawmakers expunge privatisation clauses from the draft law.

After staging protest against the plans outside the premises of the Plateau State House of Assembly, the groups thronged the venue of the hearing to deliver their memoranda to the sitting precided over by Chair, House Committee on Water and Energy, Hon. Godfrey Landip, representative of Lang Tang North North.

Landip said: “This bill has passed through first and second hearing that's why agencies were asked to bring in their contributions.”

But in its memorandum to the House, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) canvassed support for public control and sustainable budgetary allocation to the water sector.

The AUPCTRE position was read by Comrade Emmanuel Ayeoribe who said that Public Private Partnership (PPP), Concessions and other anti-people provisions in the draft law were not in the best interest of the government and people of Plateau State in view of their inherent dangers.

The union listed some of the fallouts of privatisation which include unnecessary hike in water tariff; difficulty in regulating the management of water; retrenchment of workers in Water Corporations/Agencies and; lack of transparency in PPP transactions.

Others are: Compromising quality for profitmaking; Reluctance to extend water access to the poor and; Difficulty in terminating unsatisfactory concessioning, privatisation etc.

Ayeoribe said that, “Privatisation impugns on the human right to water and places profits above the common good which we expect Honorable members of the Plateau State House of Assembly to stand for.”

In its memorandum read by Philip Jakpor, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) cautioned the lawmakers from experimenting with the PPP and any other form of privatisation, and demanded that such provisions be expunged since they are known to have failed in countries where they were introduced due to rate hikes, poor service delivery and corruption in many cases.

Any law that opens the door to privatisation will ultimately burden Plateau citizens and would amount to sacrificing the health, well-being and quality of life of the citizenry at the expense of maximising profit

Referring to a section of the draft law that empowers the corporation to enter into any commitments, agreements, joint venture, performance contracts, PPP agreements in respect of the provision, distribution, supply or sale of water and sewage management services; Jakpor noted that PPP will make government, through tax payers money pay corporate entities without fail even when there are other pressing issues requiring funding.

In its memorandum which tallies with that of ERA/FoEN and AUPCTRE, the Civil Society Coalition for Good Governance also rejected privatisation and demanded that the controversial sections be removed.

Convener of the group, Steve Aluko Daniel was of the opinion that any law that opens the door to privatisation will ultimately burden Plateau citizens and would amount to sacrificing the health, well-being and quality of life of the citizenry at the expense of maximising profit.

He also wanted more women on the membership of the board of the corporation as against one in a nine-member committee proposed in the draft law to guarantee adequate membership of women and gender balance.

The groups said the World Bank Group has in the last decade been promoting the PPP and described the model as a false solution as evidenced in many countries that have experimented it.

Quoting a report by the Transnational Institute (TNI), Public Services International Research Unit and the Multinational Observatory they said that 180 cities and communities in 35 countries, including Accra, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Johannesburg, Paris,

La Paz, Maputo and Kuala Lumpur, have all “re-municipalised” their water systems after failed PPP adventures.

14 countries in Africa and 12 in Latin America have experimented the model and rolled it back.

They revealed that the International Finance Corporation (the private arm of the World Bank) claims that PPP in cities such as Manila and Nagpur are success stories but evidence on ground counteract this.

“Manila’s water privatisation has led to continual price hikes, legal challenges, investigations, failures to provide certain districts with water, and has given the companies unfair returns for their work. In India’s largest city, Nagpur, PPP in the water sector has led to high prices and project delays to unequal water distribution and service shutdowns,” the group said.

Allegations of corruption and illegal activity have led residents to protest, and city officials have called for investigations of contract violations”.

They also listed some PPP failures in Nigeria, citing the Lekki Toll Road Concession and Visionscape Sanitations Solutions limited management of waste in Lagos as examples of how PPP’s do not solve public sector challenges.

They said that in the interest of justice, fairness, equality, sustainability and human rights, the Plateau State House of Assembly and indeed the Plateau State Government should resist and reject the entrapments of PPP in the water sector and encourage instead, high-quality, publicly- funded, democraticallycontrolled, water sector.

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FEATURES

Return of the Pencil Art Rebecca Ejifoma writes that 11 fine artists recently displayed their pencil works at the one week Conformed Divergence exhibition in Lagos

I

t was astounding how pencil art was applauded on its return into the contemporary art scene after a group of 11 fine artists displayed their pencil works at the one week Conformed Divergence exhibition in Lagos.

When this group of 11 avant-garde displayed their arrays of 31 pencil arts, it was as though vague. But the closer art aficionados went the more appealing it became. Their diversity in creativity was expressed on large canvases at the Onedraw Gallery, Ikoyi Lagos from March 24 to April 7.

The artists and draughtsmen included: Adeyinka Akingbade, Duke Asidere, Muyiwa Akinwolere, Uchay Joel-Chima, Yadichima, Olusegun Adejunwo, Ibe Ananaba, Ajobiewe Samuel, Umoh Akanimo, Stanley Dudu and Raji Mohammed.

With the theme ‘Conformed Divergence', their aesthetic pieces are: ‘STEVE PAUL JOBS’, ‘Exertion’, ‘Conviction’, ‘Integrity', ‘Lies have a Lifetime', ‘Untitled’, ‘Fighting Temptation 1&2’, ‘Able Bodied Men II', ‘Friends’, ‘Blokes III', ‘Untitled I&II', ‘Okeoghere’, ‘Steve’ and ‘Evening Gist'.

Others are: ‘Birthscape Series’, ‘The Gathering I&II', ‘Horsemen', ‘Quiet Time', ‘Searching', ‘Heartstrings’, ‘To Yearn and be Yearned for', ‘Strength from within I&II', ‘Brotherly Connection', ‘Sister’s Support', ‘Fixed’, ‘Quiet Reflections', ‘Reflective’, ‘Figure I&II', ‘Free’, ‘Love Aspirant', ‘Those Love Letter Days'.

Interestingly, their conceptual pieces dated from 2017 to 2019. They included paintings of charcoals, ink, gouache, pencil, monoprint, string on canvas and conté.

Although these artists share one thing in common – the use of the colour black natural resources like charcoal and pencil, they were able to express their contents.

The first harmony of works that will engross you is Akingbade's monochromatic pieces. The composition of his works – STEVE PAUL JOBS, Exertion, Conviction and Integrity – climaxed the various phases of life. His portraits will leave clusters of thoughts entangled in your mind's eyes.

With the expressions on the works, the award-winning artist skillfully showed the tenacity of life and the many experiences people traverse. The focus of his scary portrait monoprint mirrors focus, belief, worries, and all efforts put in to make things work both in the present life and the future.

For Dudu, it is different. His art is narrative. Although drawings with pencil, he breathed some colourful light into it with the use of turquois and orange. That is his accent.

His art work is prehistoric and realism. The arrays of girls illustrates the very stone age of letter writing and delivery, an era devoid of mobile phones or no phones for the rural dwellers and indigents as well as use of traditional light sources like lantern at night.

Swiftly on the heels, Dudu’s second piece, reminisces about the past and how lovers and suitors expressed their feelings to their prospective brides, offering them gifts.

In his drawings, ‘Love Aspirants' and ‘Those Days of Love Letters', it was easily showed how men of all sizes and shapes wooed ladies and the reactions of butterflies reflecting as invincible blushes on their cheeks.

With Dudu's dexterous use of iconography with just images and brushwork, it is vivid that every girl in her lifetime has or will experience

Those Days of Love Letters

Love Aspirants

Fixed

To Yearn and be Yearned for

the feel of having a handful of admirers and suitors from all walks of life and traditions trying to win her heart like a prize. With just pencil strokes, the artist conveyed his message.

Interestingly, these drawings are unique; no replica. They remind you of Fine Art as a subject in secondary school, how all students were coerced to draw both still life and fictitious works using just pencil to make strokes and shades. Now, the curator, who doubles as an artist, Mrs. Ronke Akinleye-Bolanle expressed enthusiasm about the return of drawings. “Drawing in the form of a preliminary sketch or line has preceded every artwork; it is in effect the basis of all visual arts”.

According to her, drawing offers the widest possible scope for the expression

of artistic intentions and expresses the draftsman’s personality spontaneously in the flow of the line.

“A draughtsman incorporates all types of images in their compositions.

Each drawing has its own story and reflects larger tendencies in the world of modern and contemporary art,” she enthused. Flowing with the theme of the exhibition, ‘Conformed Divergence' – is a selection of strategic choice of drawings that will allow discussion of some of the most influential approaches in draughtsmanship.

Indeed, these works are also meant to emphasise the attention needed for draughtsman and show how close looking can reveal the depth and eclectic power of drawing. It is, truly, an exhibition to remember.

Reflective

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Quick Takes Group Honours AMCON MD

Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÒ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ Ě™ Ěš Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËš Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂœË› Ă’Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ&#x;Ëœ åÓÞÒ ĂŁĂ?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă— Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ͱ͎ͯ͡˛ ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁËœ ÙÒË××Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă–Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ™Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă? ËŤĂ“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂšĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ã˛ˏ Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă™ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ‹Ă•Ă‹ĂœËœ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœË› Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă&#x;Ă¤Ă™ĂœËœ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ă—ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ? ÙÒË××Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ

Ă&#x;ĂœĂ&#x; ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?ÓÙ̋Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă– ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ&#x; Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? ËŠĂ?ÚÓÞÙ×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÑÙÙÎ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ÖÞÓ×ËÞĂ? Ă?ĂŁĂ—ĂŒĂ™Ă– Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËœËŞ Ă‹Ă˜Ă–Ă‹Ă—Ă“ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂĄĂ‹Ă–Ă•Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëž ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂŒĂ“Ă‹Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă“Ă— Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ě‹Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœË› Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ—Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă&#x;ĂœĂ&#x;ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ÞÒ Ă?×ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“ĂšËœ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?ÒÓÚ˛

MTN Bags CBN Innovation Award

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP

L-R: Legal Director GSK Nigeria, Mr. Uchenna Uwechia; Managing Director, Mr. Bhushan Akshikar; Managing Director/CEO, Fidson Healthcare Plc., Dr. Fidelis Ayebae and Operations Director, Mr. Biola Adebayo, at the local contract manufacturing partnership official signing ceremony in Lagos‌recently

GSMA Harps on Investment in Digital Transformation Emma Okonji in Abidjan, CĂ´te d Ivoire The GSMA, which represents the interests of global mobile operators, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, has called on governments across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to invest massively in digital transformation, in order to empower their citizens in achieving the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution.

Established in 1975, ECOWAS members include Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

GSMA stressed the need for

ECONOMY investments among ECOWAS member countries, during its paper presenting titled Digital ECOWAS: Pathways to Investment, Innovation and Inclusion, at the 2019 GSMA Mobile 360 Conference in Abidjan, CĂ´te d Ivoire.

Senior Director, Policy Engagement, Government and Regulatory Affairs at GSMA, Mr. Fraser Graham, said statistics revealed the continual increases in the number of mobile internet users in West Africa, but explained that there were still large numbers of people who remain unconnected and are classified as digitally excluded. “Addressing and reducing digital exclusion requires

a significant amount of investment because the unconnected are typically in rural areas where the subscriber acquisition costs are higher than in urban areas. “Furthermore, the unconnected typically have lower disposable incomes, making the economics of network rollout even more challenging for service providers,� Graham said.

Head of sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, said GSMA would continually engage governments across the ECOWAS region to help speed up infrastructure development through collaboration between governments and industry players. “A key component to encouraging investment is to remove unnecessary barriers to such investment that may

reside in the legal and regulatory frameworks,� Goodluck said.

GSMA therefore recommended the reduction of spectrum costs and the consideration of coverage obligations on sub-1GHz assignments, insisting that the licences for all spectrum should be technology neutral to allow the service providers to maximise on mobile broadband capacity while still catering for 2G and 3G customers.

GSMA also called for the removal of additional taxes on telecommunications to enhance service quality.

The Chief Regulatory Officer at GSMA, John Giusti, in his opening remarks, said the mobile industry would continue Continued on page 24

FG Seeks AfDB’s Intervention on National Infrastructure Emma Okonji The federal government has called on the African Development Bank (AfDB) to intervene in building the trans-saharan optic fibre backbone/national broadband backbone and develop ground station for Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) and other critical national Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure, to enable the nation attain the fourth industrial revolution.

The Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu, made the call recently in Abuja, during a meeting between the team of the African Development Bank Group,

TELECOM led by its Government Relations Coordinator, Linda Amadi and officials of the ministry in Abuja.

The meeting was aimed to identify the real reasons why certain technologies could not be adopted in Africa and recommend the development strategy for Africa government, the private sector, and development partners, including AfDB. Shittu, explained that the trans-sahara optic fibre backbone would ensure effective broadband penetration in all rural areas, not only in Nigeria but in entire Africa.

He requested the AfDB to assist in the implementation

of the National Addressing System (NAS) activities such as procuring the needed cadastral based map at the scale of 1:5000 and 1:10000, engage a notable software developer to build NAS data ecosystem infrastructure and integrated software/associated applications.

According to the minister, “Securing intervention from the AFDB on the certain critical national ICT infrastructure including the development of Research and Development Centres, ICT parks and ICT village among others, were crucial for launching the country in particular and Africa as a whole into the fourth industrial revolution where trends such as

Internet of Things (IoT) Robotics, Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be realised to change the way people live and work.�

Addressing the ministerial team, the AFDB’S Senior Consultant from Techno Polis Group, Stephen Krevrer, said the delegation aimed at conducting field studies to seek detailed information to understand which technology has the potential to impact on the economy and society at large.

He noted that Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain, 3D printing, Drones and Internet of Things, were the five key areas AFDB Continued on page 24

Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜Ă• Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? ËŠ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœËŞ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ͱ͎ͯ͡ Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂŁĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?

Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă—Ă? Ě™ Ěš Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ë› ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĚ‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă• Ă?ÞÞÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ă? Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ëœ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ë› Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ͱ͎ͯ͡ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? ËŠ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœËœËŞ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;Þã Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËœ Ëœ ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂ“Ă?Ă“ Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ“Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËŞĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ™ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ͱ͎ͯ͜˛ Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽËœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ™ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ™Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÚÖĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂšĂ?â ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă• Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËŞĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ÚÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁË›

ISPON Organises Forum

Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËŞĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?âÞ ĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?âĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă?ÙËĂ?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ͱ͎ÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœË› Ă’Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂŽ ËŤ ̜Ͱ͎Ë? Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—ËœËŹ ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁĂ˜Ă™ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁËœ ĂœË› Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă‹ Ă™Ă’Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ëš Ëœ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÕÙÓÑĂ&#x;Ă˜Ëœ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ëœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’ ÚÙÞĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? ÞËÚÚĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă‹Ă–Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë›ËŹ

FintechNGR Holds AGM

Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ěš ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ăž Ͳ˛͎ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă’Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÙĂ?Ă• âĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ËÞÞĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ÞËĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ăž ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂžĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍśËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ ĂŽĂ™ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÙËÎ×ËÚ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ËÚÓÞËÖ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžËœ Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ëœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ÞËÕĂ?Ě‹Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ě‹ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ú˛ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ëœ ÞÙÖÎ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?âĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË›

“We are aware that technology is evolving and it comes with lots of advantages in a teaching and learning environment like the school system, and we are taking those advantages into cognisance in developing our students�

Vice-Chancellor, Bowen University,

Prof. Joshua Ogunwole

24

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

GSMA HARPS ON INVESTMENT IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION to drive digital, financial and social inclusion in countries throughout West, Central and North Africa, and stressed the need for the encouragement the rise of digital citizens across West Africa.

The Minister of Digital Economy in CĂ´te d Ivoire, Claude Isaac, who declared the conference open, said the theme of the conference: Rise of Digital Citizens was apt, as it translates the will of the public sector to use technology in achieving the benefits of digital transformation.

He Stressed the need for the promotion of digital education and collaboration to protect the cyberspace as well as the training of youths across ECOWAS communities to assist them in becoming tech savvy youths.

The GSMA had launched a report, which focused on ‘Spotlight on Nigeria: Delivering a Digital Future.’ According to the report, modernising regulation and policy reform will be crucial to boosting Nigeria’s digital economy and accelerating internet access for millions through increased mobile broadband penetration.

The GSMA research had shown that the mobile market in Nigeria makes an important contribution to the economy.

The mobile industry contributed $21 billion to GDP in 2017, representing 5.5 per cent of Nigeria’s total GDP. FG SEEKS AFDB’S INTERVENTION ON NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE seeks to uncover their potential to impact positively in sectors like Education, Health Care, Transportation, Manufacturing and Agriculture, to transform the African economy.

The African Development Bank had selected Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Morocco and Uganda for a case study on unlocking the potential for the fourth industrial revolution in Africa and to collate detailed information that will enable them to understand the technologies that have the potential and ascertain the preconditions for their adoption and potential impact on the economy and society at large.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Konga to Invest in Health Sector, Acquire Pharmacy Chain Stories by Emma Okonji After a successful launch of Konga Travel, a revolutionary omni-channel travel booking agency, the management of Konga, has confirmed plan to launch an integrated and cost-effective health project across Nigeria.

The move is to better meet the needs of the served, unserved and under-served with genuine drugs promptly, through the acquisition of a pharmacy chain.

The Co-CEO at Konga, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, who made the disclosure, said Konga remained passionate about reducing the cost of health service delivery in Nigeria and beyond.

Negotiations are believed to have reached an advanced stage for the ambitious project which is expected to be launched by third quarter of 2019.

According to Ekeh, “We have a passion to reduce the cost of last mile delivery of genuine drugs. We have started investing in worldclass laboratory equipment that will re-certify drugs delivered through our pharmacy chain. “Health services delivery in Nigeria is still very expensive and beset with challenges bordering on access and speed of delivery to users in both urban and rural centres across the country. “We intend to change this narrative by extending our retail revolution to this very

critical sector. “We have all the necessary approvals of the Konga Board to launch the most integrated genuine drug availability and delivery project by the third quarter of this year.

We already have a commitment of a huge amount from a foundation (name withheld) to subsidise the cost of last mile delivery to

some classified persons and organisations. “We also have approval to import digital laboratory equipment to test some batches of drugs supplied to our pharmacies nationwide by manufacturers and distributors to make sure they meet global standards. “We consider this as purely not a commercial rollout

because there is social content to it. We are going to partner with stakeholders up to the village level to make sure this happens. “The roadmap to our quality health project is clear and we are sure it will be a rewarding experience for Nigerians. We will release more information in the month of August but rest

assured that, the technology that will drive the network is ready and certified.�

Acquired by the Zinox Group from previous owners, South Africa’s Naspers and Swedish investment firm, AB Kinnevik in January 2018, Konga has undergone a huge transformation that has seen its value grow astronomically over the past 12 months.

NOT FOR SALE CAMPAIGN

L-R: Deputy Head of Office, Department for International Development Nigeria, John Primrose; Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Julie Okah-Donli; Not for Sale Campaign Ambassador, Gift Oje Jonathan and Director of Communications, Department for International Development (DFID) Nigeria, Tim Singleton, at the launch of the ‘Not for Sale’ campaign held in Abuja‌recently

NCC Tasks Telecoms Consumers on Infrastructure Protection The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has again enjoined telecoms consumers and other stakeholders to work with the Commission towards protecting telecoms infrastructure for improved telecoms service delivery to the populace.

The Commission made the call during a sensitisation programme on the protection of telecoms infrastructure in Okene, Kogi State recently, where it urged all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, and individuals to collectively protect telecoms infrastructure in their communities.

While addressing an audience of telecoms consumers at the event, the Director

Zonal Operations, NCC, Mrs. Amina Shehu, said concerted efforts were needed to protect telecoms infrastructure.

Shehu, who was represented by a Principal Manager in the Zonal Operations Directorate, Mr. Ekisola Oladisun, said if the Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) enjoyed by the consumers were to be improved upon, consumers needed to play a role by joining hands in protecting telecoms infrastructure such as base transceiver stations (BTS) and fibre optic cables located in their vicinities.

While noting that Nigeria has over the years, recorded tremendous growth in its Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) following the liberalisation of the telecoms industry in 2001, Shehu, however, decried the situation where there are various challenges facing optimum protection for telecoms infrastructure, which, in turn, hinder delivery of highly improved services to the consumers by the mobile networks.

The challenges, according to her, included vandalism, theft of telecoms site equipment and harassment and intimidation of telecoms site engineers, indiscriminate shutdown of telecoms facilities by government agencies, right of way (RoW) issues among others.

According to Shehu, “It is important to note that

the spate of vandalism of telecoms infrastructure across the country has resulted in cases of poor quality of service which telecoms consumers complain about.�

She added that it was on the basis of these realities, that the Commission has organised the workshop in order to educate consumers on the imperative of protecting telecoms infrastructure, which has become the backbone for the entire economy, stressing that “we need to collectively protect telecoms infrastructure in our communities to prevent decline in quality of service on the networks of our service providers.�

Speaking in the same vein, an official in the Technical

Standards and Network Integrity (TSNI) Directorate at NCC, Mr. Musa Daibu, said the Commission and other stakeholders were pushing for the passing into law of a bill on Critical National Infrastructure, which, if passed, would help to further improve telecoms infrastructure protection, as it would classify telecoms infrastructure as national assets.

The forum provided opportunity for telecoms consumers to ask questions on various aspects of telecom service delivery with the Commission’s officials providing appropriate responses to issues raised to the satisfaction of the consumers.

Afreximbank, AU to Create Digital Ecosystem

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (ICT)

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has said it is working with the support of African Union (AU), to create a digital ecosystem that will eliminate the major bottlenecks to trade finance flows within Africa.

The Bank President, Prof.

Benedict Oramah, who made the disclosure while delivering an address at the IGD Frontier 100 Forum, organised by the Initiative for Global Development (IGD) on the sidelines of

the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. recently, said one of the major constraints to intra-African trade was lack of information to support intra-regional trade and investments.

According to him, that was why many African countries were importing products from outside the continent while neighboring countries were exporting the same products at a much lower cost. “It was to address that challenge that Afreximbank

and the AU were working to use digital technology to improve access to trade information and facilitate the use of African national currencies via intra African trade settlements,� Oramah was quoted in a statement to have said.

According to him, Afreximbank was developing a focused programme to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the continent, recognising that SMEs were a vital component

to unlocking intra-African potential.

In his opening remarks Oramah noted that IGD has been facilitating discourse on important African issues over the years and said that Afreximbank identified with the efforts and achievements of the IGD, hence its close partnership with the initiative.

Also speaking at the forum, President and CEO of IGD, Leila Ndiaye, said the initiative’s work was aimed at supporting Africa’s

growth and development agenda and at pushing to unlock intra-African trade through SME growth and development.

Oramah and Afreximbank’s Chief Economist, Dr. Hippolyte Fofack, who accompanied him to the event, also participated in two panel discussions, on “Supporting Africa’s Growth and Development Agenda� and “Expanding Regional Trade and Investment for Africa’s future�, respectively.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Curbing Dangers of Pre-registered SIM Cards The collaboration among the Nigerian Communications Commission, telecoms operators, Office of the National Security Adviser, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Police Force and the Judiciary among others, is a welcome development that will address the dangers of pre-registered SIM cards, writes Emma Okonji

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

O

f recent, Nigerians have witnessed the rising rates of pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards across the country, perpetrated by people of questionable characters, who use the cards for unwholesome activities like kidnapping, call masking, threat to lives and bullying among others.

Worried by the development, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, made several attempts to trace pre-registered SIM cards to people who kept them for their selfish use and got them arrested and prosecuted. But the more NCC makes efforts to address the ugly trend, the more the practice persists.

In order to reduce and possibly eliminate the various security challenges occasioned by cases of fraudulently-activated SIM cards in the country, the NCC, of recent, decided to explore different regulatory interventions and collaborated with necessary stakeholders and agencies like Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Police, Judiciary, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.

Pre-registered SIM cards The SIM card is a small smart chip card that is fixed into a mobile phone or mobile device, which carries the identification number that is unique to the owner of the mobile phone or device that registered the SIM card with any network provider. The SIM card stores the data of GSM telephone subscribers, and the SIM card, by law, must be registered with correct identity before activation and usage.

But a pre-registered SIM card is a fraudulentlyactivated or improperly-registered SIM card, whose registration is against the regulatory requirements as stipulated by the commission.

Users of such SIM cards do so either out of ignorance or as a deliberate intent to commit crimes.

While the commission has developed the Telephone Subscribers Registration Guidelines 2011 and a stringent SIM Replacement Procedures to protect telecoms consumers, the sale, purchase and use of pre-registered SIM cards are still being witnessed in some corridors across the country.

The commission’s move to curb the ugly trend, which constitutes grave dangers to individuals and a potential threat to national security of the country, has necessitated the continuous stakeholder engagements in the industry and collaborations with other agencies of government.

Such government agencies include the ONSA, the CBN, the Nigeria Police Force(NPF), the NSCDC, the judiciary, MNOs, telecom consumers, among others. This is in addition to ongoing consumer awareness programmes across the six geo-political zones of the country, carried out

by NCC to sensitise the consumers on dangers of patronising pre-registered SIM cards.

Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta

According to NCC, due to fraudulently-activated SIM cards, many genuine subscribers have become victims of armed robbery, kidnappings and financial crimes or SIM swap fraud, requiring concerted efforts to address the menace.

Collaborations To date, NCC has had several meetings and sensitisation workshops with different stakeholder groups across the industry at different points in time. Flowing from these consultations and the extensive activities of the NCC, the commission has issued several directions to the MNOs and imposed various sanctions on them at different times. For instance, following several reports on the preponderance of pre-registered and improperly-registered SIM cards in the market and several challenges raised by the security agencies on difficulties in tracking criminals using improperly-registered SIM cards, the Commission met with all relevant stakeholders in 2017 to set up an inter-agency Task Force to address the menace.

In September 2018, the commission coordinated a meeting to bring MNOs and the NSCDC together to help drive enforcement against agents involved in the release of fully-activated SIM cards from the MNOs side. This engagement and others have produced key resolutions all aimed at sanitising the industry of pre-registered SIM cards.

SIM replacement procedures As a proactive measure, the commission had, at as 2017, come up with a SIM replacement guideline, which makes the process of replacing lost, stolen or damaged SIM cards more stringent in order to protect telecommunications consumers.

While speaking recently on reason for such stringent conditions, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said before replacing a SIM card, consumers are required to identify themselves properly through court affidavit, national identification card, SIM pack, among other requirements, saying this is to ensure that telecom subscribers are well protected from being victims of SIM swap fraud.

According to him, at times, a subscriber might be having issues with his or her phone number, thinking that it is a network issue. “Unfortunately, by the time the subscriber discovered what is happening, money would have been fraudulently taken out of his or her bank account. SIM swap or replacement has a lot of issues attached to it because, often times, a lot of people who are not the owners of some numbers do SIM swap at various customer centres of the service providers,” Danbatta said.

According to him, there had been cases of fraudulent activities done on people’s bank accounts as a result of SIM swap and the victims often complain to the Commission, expecting that NCC will compensate them.

“To stop this SIM swap fraud, the Commis-

sion, in 2017, developed guidelines on SIM replacement, which sets water-tight rules for telecoms consumers to replace their SIM card when there is a need for it,” Danbatta said.

While noting that the regulatory body has observed that consumers often frown at being asked to bring court affidavit, national identification card or other valid IDs, SIM pack, among other requirements, Danbatta explained that the likelihood by subscribers to think that network providers are putting them through stress to have their SIM replaced is also possible.

“But what telecoms consumers should know is that they must appreciate the fact that information being required from them is to establish that anybody coming for SIM swap proves that the number requested to be swapped belongs to him/her. In this case, we enjoin consumers to immediately report to their respective banks to block their accounts or place a notice of ‘no withdrawal’ on such account linked to the stoen, damaged or lost SIM cards,” Danbatta advised.

Subscribers’ view Meanwhile, industry observers agree that the issues concerning subscriber registration or re-registration are central to national security and thereby require severe regulatory framework to keep them under firm control as well as ensuring a high level of compliance, which is a routine exercise by the enforcement team of the Commission.

Supporting the commission’s initiative, the President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, said at a recent forum that the stringent measures adopted by the NCC should be appreciated by the consumers against backdrop of the danger posed by a loose or casual SIM card registration and re-registration process, raising all sorts of concerns in the country.

Dealing with SIM swap fraud One of the fallouts of fraudulently-activated SIM cards is the SIM fraud. SIM fraud, which is also aided by the use of some software technology to commit crimes, has made many unsuspecting bank customers to lose their hard-earned money to fraudsters.

SIM fraud is fueled by indulgence of criminallyminded individuals who engage in illegal SIM swap. Today, the SIM Swap fraud trend becomes more prevalent because their mobile numbers are directly linked to their bank accounts.

In order to address the issue, the commission, in January this year in Abuja, held a stakeholder forum on financial fraud using telecoms platforms.

The event, which featured participants from CBN, MNOs, the banks, law enforcement agencies and the consumer groups, was aimed at furthering inclusive discourse on how to proffer solutions to the issue of pre-registered and improperly-registered SIM cards being used to defraud bank customers.

Speaking at the forum, Danbatta said that

despite advances in technology, human intervention was still required to prevent SIM swap fraud. According to him, controls and processes by network operators have, to a degree, failed and led to instances of human error in retail branches in distributing SIM cards, noting that banks were still trying to find effective ways of identifying when a customer’s mobile number has been fraudulently swapped and ported onto a new device.

“With fraudsters continuing to exploit these weaknesses, putting better authentication processes in place is vital. Of course, consumers have a responsibility to be vigilant and take their own precautions as well,” he said.

The financial fraud forum subsequently produced a 13-point communique, which implementation by the commission, MNOs, the banks, the consumers, law enforcement agents and other concerned stakeholders, will help to encourage proper SIM cards registration, diligent adherence to SIM swap procedures by the MNOs and their agents, towards preventing further losses incurred by unsuspecting subscribers/ bank customers through SIM swap fraud.

Nationwide sensitisation programme Unrelenting in its quest to tackle the challenge, the commission through its enforcement team, has commenced a nationwide sensitisation programme that will hold across the six geo-political zones in the country to educate stakeholders, especially telecoms consumers, on the dangers of pre-registered SIM cards.

The sensitisation programme, which had already been held in Enugu for the South-east and Nasarawa for the North Central in the first week of April this year, will be hosted in South-west, North-east, South-south and North-west geo-political zones in the coming weeks, according to NCC. Speaking during the Enugu edition of the programme, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at NCC, Mr. Sunday Dare, stressed the importance of educating all stakeholders on the dangers of pre-registered SIM cards.

According to Dare, “The availability of improperly-registered SIM cards in any corner of Nigeria is a threat to the security of all of us. Such SIM cards make it possible to commit financial crimes whose victims are ordinary hardworking citizens.

“Also, pre-registered and fraudulently- activated SIM cards, if left unchecked, make it difficult for our law enforcement agents to apprehend persons involved in major criminal activities and they can be used in the perpetration of horrible crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping and similar felonies, making suspect virtue untraceable.”

He said the commission is in the process of sponsoring legislation at the National Assembly to directly criminalise certain SIM registration infractions and thereby deterring persons wishing to commit such infractions.

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Okere: Technology Skills Will Enhance Business Growth Founder of ALA, an entrepreneur and business leadership academy, Mr. Austin Okere, spoke with Emma Okonji on how entrepreneurs and business leaders could ride on technology to succeed in their chosen careers. Excerpts:

H

ow can technology enable businesses in Nigeria, considering the fact that most businesses go into extinction after few years of operation, while some struggle to remain productive?

The thing about technology is that it is an enabler, even though technology in itself will not run the business. People need to acquire technology skills and apply the skills in running their businesses to grow bigger and faster. From my technology-based research, 500 people can have business ideas, and each decides to start a business, but the first impression about a business is to reject certain proposals that others may want to sell to the business owners like insurance, but if there is persistence, the business owner may tolerate and decide to listen to the person with the proposal.

If there is further persistence, the business owner may accept the proposal. After that if the person with the proposal still persists, the business owner may begin to desire the proposal. That is the nature of business such that out of the 500 people with the business ideas, 300 will immediately drop out at the rejection stage, and the remaining 200 will continue based on persistence.

Along the line another 150 will drop out, remaining 50. So 60 per cent drops out at rejection stage and 30 per cent drops out at tolerance stage and before the acceptable level, another 40 will drop out, remaining only 10 people who will eventually make and run the business successfully, and the 10 represent 2 per cent of the initial 500.

So a successful business that is driven by technology is 1 per cent talent and 99 per cent desperation and persistence in business. So businesses must continually and persistently apply technology to sustain it, because technology is an enabler of business.

What in your views are the reasons why businesses are not attracting investors, including the tech start-ups?

There are various reasons why most businesses do not attract investors. Some businesses blame it on government policies that are not protecting upcoming businesses, but the government will in turn blame it on the populace, saying that change begins with the people. Businesses must open up without hoarding ideas that could be beneficial to all. If they are open and transparent without working in solos, it will allow investors to invest in them. We have different categories of people who run businesses in the society.

Some are self-centred and only think of themselves without considering others.

Some are tribesmen who believe only in the group they belong to and will not want to contribute or share ideas outside of the group. We have another set of people called the citizens who consider the interests of others, while pursuing their goals. So the attitudes and beliefs of these various categories of people who run businesses, determine the type of investments that they attract to their businesses.

You started your career as a technology person, but today you have moved into entrepreneurship training and mentorship. What is the motivating factor?

I have a technology background and I started by establishing CWG Plc as the founder, and I nurtured it to a level where I think it can stand on its own before leaving it in the hands of capable people to continue running it, and today I am the founder of Ausso Leadership Academy (ALA), which I established last year to mentor entrepreneurs and business leaders.

The focus is to mentor leaders to optimise

derstand how to secure customers in a business and how to grow and keep the customers. The delivery channels of the business must be clear and understanding of the business turnover, are all key factors that must be considered before listing on the stock exchange. So businesses need simple models and certifications to grow and remain sustained over a long period of time. Before going to stock exchange to raise money, a business must first have a clear structure, innovation and transformation plans as well as legacy.

Going to list at the stock exchange, comes with its own advantages, because organisations will want to do business with your company, knowing fully well that your business has a long term vision and it is transparent, but listing has to do with a lot of considerations.

Okere

the jobs they create in order to enable sustainable shared prosperity, through institutionalising and scaling their businesses geometrically. ALA aims to impact at least 200 entrepreneurs each year in cohorts of 40 delegates per masterclass. It is expected that the entrepreneurs will achieve double digit growth in revenue after they would have imbibed a code of governance and a culture of succession and legacy. So because of my technology background and expertise, people and organisations within and outside Nigeria often call me to seminars and conferences to speak about cybersecurity. I have been invited to the Indian Professionals Forum at the Indian Embassy to speak on technology based issues. People also invite me to give talks on entrepreneurial mentorship and I see myself as a serial entrepreneur. So whether my entrepreneurial skill is in technology, banking or stockbroking, the methodology of entrepreneurship and business is the same.

How do feel leaving CWG Plc as the founder to establish ALA? I feel great to establish a technology company and later bow out after several years to leave it in the hands of capable leaders. Since I left CWG Plc, we have had two Chief Executives and the second is currently running the place. What happen with most businesses in Nigeria is that a lot of people start a business and they are not patient to complete the institutionalisation of the business and the business growth becomes stunted at some point in time.

The truth is that no one can be relevant in an institution for ever, and 20 years is a long time for anyone to remain in charge of a business and transform that business to a level that he or she can leave it in the hands of other capable leaders to run the affairs of the business and take it to the next level. Most times some people want to remain in charge of their business until their sons and daughters are old enough to take over the business, and in most cases the sons and daughters run such business aground because of lack of interest and understanding about the business. For

example, Guinness Ford, J.P. Morgan are big and global brands whose founders had long left the management stage but the businesses are still running successfully without their sons and daughters taking charge of them. That is the same vision I have for CWG and ALA which I founded, and my plan is to make them self-sustained in the future.

There are upcoming businesses, especially start-ups, who desire to list their business on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in order to raise money for business expansion. At what stage can a business be listed on the stock exchange?

Listing on the stock exchange for business expansion is a good business idea, but there is need to consider the peculiar nature of the business before attempting to list on the stock exchange. CWG Plc, which I founded, for instance, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange but companies must be careful in listing on the stock exchange to raise ‘Series A’ or ‘Series B’ funding for their business, because people that want to invest in your business at the stock exchange, want their investments to yield results three times within a space of five years, and their expectations are high. Again businesses must consider the stability of exchange rate before listing.

If exchange rate is fluctuating and may be rise to a certain level at some point in time, it becomes an issue to pay back loans or divided at high exchange rate, whereas the exchange rate was relatively low when the business was listed. So the best way to successfully run a business is to avoid money that you do not really need to run the business, to avoid a situation where investors will take over the business and the owner of the business becomes a management staff in his or her own business. So before going to list on the stock exchange, it is advisable to first test the business plan, understand the unique value the business is providing, as well as understand the type of partners needed to provide the value into the customer segment. There is also the need to un-

What are the success stories and challenges of ALA Academy, one year after it was established?

It has been one year of amazing success, and it is the reason we are celebrating our one year anniversary. As an Entrepreneur in Residence, teaching at the Columbia Business School in the United States of America for over a decade, I had the vision a year ago to establish the ALA Academy, and one year down the line, I stand strong to say it has been one successful year of grooming champions in entrepreneurial business. I said to myself a year ago that if I could impart knowledge in Columbia Business School, then I could as well set up same in Nigeria to train Nigerians, but I initially had some apprehensions that I may not be able to handle it successfully all alone, because the Columbia Business School where I still teach, is owned by a group of entrepreneurs who pulled resources together to set up the business school on trust. So my apprehension was about how I could successfully accomplish my vision alone and still maintain the standard of Columbia Business School that is set up and run by a group of successful entrepreneurs and businessmen, but I took a leap of faith to do it alone and today it gladdens my heart that it has been one year of success for ALA academy in Lagos, Nigeria.

People that have passed through the academy have become successful entrepreneurs and business leaders that are managing their own business. Business owners come to ALA academy and they graduate to become better business men and women and that is the essence of the academy. At ALA, we grow businesses and make them more attractive for others to invest in. One year from inception, ALA has remained true to its purpose of mentoring entrepreneurs that will in turn, become the drivers of sustainable economic growth, creating an oasis of outstanding businesses in Africa. So far, we have enjoyed ever-increasing recognition and endorsement from key stakeholders.

What are your strategies to sustain ALA in the long run?

We have laudable initiatives like the ‘Take Five To Give Back’, which is a simple initiative that will allow businesses to develop the society in which they operate, by impacting on the society. We may not give tangible things to the society, but we can help the society to grow and achieve more. So for instance one of our strategies is to mentor local government chairmen and councillors in governance, so that when they return back to their local government councils, they will be able to do things that will propel the society to prosper. We have other strategies to sustain ALA and we are ready to unfold them as time goes on.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Report Reveals How Cybercriminals Attack Cloud Server Stories by Emma Okonji Sophos, an operator in the network and endpoint security segment has released the findings of its recent research report, which reveals that cybercriminals attacked one of the cloud server honeypots in the study within 52 seconds of the honeypot going live in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

On average, the cloud servers were hit by 13 attempted attacks per minute, per honeypot.

The honeypots were set up in 10 of the most popular Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centres in the world, including California, Frankfurt, Ireland, London, Mumbai, Ohio, Paris,

Sao Paulo, Singapore, and Sydney over a 30-day period.

A honeypot is a system intended to mimic likely targets of cyber attackers, so that security researchers can monitor cybercriminal behaviours.

In the study, more than five million attacks were attempted on the global network of honeypots in the 30-day period, demonstrating how cybercriminals are automatically scanning for weak open cloud buckets.

If attackers are successful at gaining entry, organisations could be vulnerable to data breaches. Cybercriminals also use breached cloud servers as pivot points to gain access onto

other servers or networks.

Security specialist at Sophos, Matthew Boddy said: “The Sophos report, ‘Exposed: Cyberattacks on Cloud Honeypots,’ identifies the threats organisations migrating to hybrid and all-cloud platforms face. The aggressive speed and scale of attacks on the honeypots show how relentlessly persistent cybercriminals are and indicates they are using botnets to target an organisation’s cloud platforms.

In some instances, it may be a human attacker, but regardless, companies need a security strategy to protect what they

are putting into the cloud.”

According to him, continuous visibility of public cloud infrastructure, remained vital for businesses to ensure compliance and to know what to protect. However, multiple development teams within an organisation and an ever-changing, auto-scaling environment make this difficult for IT security.

Chief Information Security Officer at Sophos, Ross McKerchar, said: “Sophos is addressing security weaknesses in public clouds with the launch of Sophos Cloud Optix, which leverages artificial

intelligence (AI) to highlight and mitigate threat exposure in cloud infrastructures. Sophos Cloud Optix is an agentless solution that provides intelligent cloud visibility, automatic compliance regulation detection and threat response across multiple cloud environments.

“Instead of inundating security teams with a massive number of undifferentiated alerts, Sophos Cloud Optix significantly minimizes alert fatigue by identifying what is truly meaningful and actionable.”

Key features in Sophos Cloud Optix include smart

visibility, which provides automatic discovery of an organisation’s assets across AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments, via a single console, allowing security teams complete visibility into everything they have in the cloud and to respond and remediate security risks in minutes. Other features include continuous cloud compliance, which keeps up with continually changing compliance regulations and best practices policies by automatically detecting changes to cloud environments in near-time.

e-Payment Firm to Provide TSA Solutions The Upperlink Limited, an electronic payment service provider, has reiterated its readiness to provide state governments with an improved Treasury Single Account (TSA) solutions. This is just as the company recently won the 2019 edition of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) Efficiency Awards.

A statement signed by the Managing Director/CEO of the company, Mr. Segun Akano said the company “is passionate about helping state governments with improved TSA solutions as the conversation with some of the states’ ministry of finance have shown that they want an improved TSA over what the federal government is currently implementing.”

He explained that the award-winning e-payment solution, PayChoice-BAMS, is an improved TSA platform, as it keeps all accounts in different banks but “the aggregate balance is visible on one window.”

According to Akano, this window gives the states government full control over their funds by allowing sweeping across banks or across accounts.

It provides trend analysis about in-and-out movements in each account across all the banks.

He explained that the platform makes disbursement easy to vendors, contractors and to pay staff salaries while allowing

the tax components and other deductibles of all payments to be remitted seamlessly in real time to the respective beneficiaries.

“Our PayChoice-BAMS platform helps users to carry out transactions in real-time while observing all the protocols pertaining to signatories and mandates of the state in a secured manner,” Akano said.

He added that the platform had become so valuable to state governments because it allows the states to keep their trade obligations with the respective banks.

“The ripple effects are that the banks that have set up branches in these states remain in business, keep their staff, and even employ more indigenes to improve the economy of the state, enhance payee and boost micro economic activities,” he emphasised.

He noted that blue chips in the oil and gas, manufacturing and services sectors that maintain accounts across multiple banks have found PayChoice-BAMS useful.

“Its key functionalities have proven invaluable for many chief financial controllers who are seeking the ability to view all the company accounts across the multiple banks through one single view, make multiple transactions, track balances in real-time, generate statistics and prepare payment data analytics for the management team,” he said.

Rack Centre Makes Final List in UK Awards Rack Centre, a data centre, has made the final list for the third year in a row in the United Kingdom(UK) Data Centre Solutions Award.

Rack Centre is shortlisted in three categories for Excellence in Data Centre Services Award; Data Centre Hosting/ Colocation Supplier of the Year and Sunday Opadijo, Rack Centre Senior Manager as the Data Centre Manager of the Year.

Rack Centre was recognised based on its focus on high quality standards, best practices, exemplary customer satisfaction and a track record of 100 percent uptime in managing and operating top class facility.

The DCS awards are designed to reward product

designers, manufacturers, suppliers and providers operating in data centre arena and recognises the achievements of the vendors and their business partners alike.

Impressed with the company making the list again in 2019, the Managing Director of Rack Centre, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, said: “We are delighted to be finalist for the third year in a row at the DCS Awards, and this time, we are finalist in three categories. A great testament to the depth and breadth of quality of Rack Centre and the outstanding customer satisfaction we have attained over the years. I am very proud of the team at Rack Centre and our customers.”

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R; Country Manager, Infinix Mobility, Mr. Jay Liu; Marketing Manager, Amanda Zhang; Marketing Executing, Mr. Opeyemi Adewunmi and Global Head, Mr. Benjamin Jiang, at the launch of Infinix mobility hot-s4 in Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Firms to Organise Business Terragon to Address Data Challenges Seminar Nosa Alekhuogie The Autusbridge Consulting Limited is set to host businesses in Nigeria at a one-day seminar on Business Mobility.

The event, which is being organised in partnership with Telynet, aims at exposing Nigerian businesses to latest technology solutions that can enhance their performance.

Speaking on the importance of the Business Mobility seminar, Chief Executive Officer of Autusbridge Consulting, Mr. Olugbenga Johnson noted that technology would continue to have huge impact on businesses as it enhances productivity.

“Technological support for businesses is no longer limited to the office setting.

Field activities ranging from sales, technical services, logistics, courier, marketing, POS merchandising etc can be managed remotely in real time. This technological intervention or concept is called Business or Enterprise Mobility,” he said Johnson further explained that business mobility is an approach to work in which employees can do their jobs from anywhere using a variety of devices

and applications.

“Enterprise mobility is thriving on the heels of increasing internet penetration, availability of low-cost smart devices and increasing adaptability of the various solutions to different business operational models,” he added.

According to him, Autusbridge as the best Mobile Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and other mobile solutions services provider in Nigeria, has a deep understanding of business needs in the country, and this informed the need for the conference. He added that Autusbridge has also been helping companies to be in constant contact with their customers and business representatives on the field.

On partnership with Telynet, Johnson said Autusbridge would be leveraging the technical competence and continents-wide experience of the Spanish technology company, which has over 30 years experience in the development and deployment of Mobile/Office solutions for customer relationship management and field force automation.

Terragon Group, has announced that it is ready to solve Africa’s data problems, provide robust customer software and rich data analytics capabilities with innovations that have the African mobile user in mind.

The Chief Executive Officer of Terragon Group, Elo Umeh in a statement said: “Terragon is committed to achieving its strategic objectives of using data to drive outcomes in Africa. In 2018, it acquired an Asian marketing technology firm, Bizense, which consolidated its position as one of the leading global digital companies.

With its proprietary technology, it provides custom integration on both the demand and supply side of the mobile marketing technology value chain to multinational and local brands in Africa.”

According to him, “Some of the benefits of using Terragon’s data and martech services are access to large data sets, audience buckets which gives insights on consumers, conversion of leads to clients, tracks user journey, measures success rate and outcomes, private customer data platform (CDP) which allows brands and businesses gain relevant

insights on their customers, enabling them to stack up and grow the profile of their customers.

Its proprietary marketing technology, Adrenaline, also unlocks value for businesses using insights to reach Africa’s mobile users. Adrenaline can reach over 80 million Nigerians through online and offline channels to drive targeted awareness, promote engagement and increase conversion and retention rate. Adrenaline is currently the only technology that has the capability of tracking users from online to offline in Africa.”

Umeh further noted that brands and businesses, who need access to large data sets of mobile users for superior performance for awareness, engagement, conversion, and retention with guaranteed outcomes, needed to switch and work with the latest technology that Terragon offers Africa.

Citing a recent statement by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, that Nigeria’s internet usage in 2018, reached 93.3 million users, Umeh said the statistics displayed a mixed blessing for a country of over 190 million people with a median age of 18 years.

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Bakare: Consistency in Strategy Shaped FirstBank Brand A former bank chief executive who had initially served as Chief Strategy Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Hafiz Bakare, in this interview speaks about transformational phases of First Bank as well as on some specific brand building efforts of the promoters of the bank. Raheem Akingbolu provides the excerpts:

A

We thus came up with a robust Brand Strategy which guided the implementation of various initiatives, some of which were novel to the Bank at the time and have endured with the successive leadership of the Bank and the Marketing Communications Division which is what the Brand Management I supervised came to be called after it was hived off to stand alone at the point I moved on in 2009.

s someone who had handled the management of the FBN brand, what would you describe as the brand essence of the bank?

The thematic brand essence of the bank arising from the Brand Transformation Project and which also guided management of the brand when I was in charge was: “Dependably Dynamic�. This was consistent with the two key imperatives of “Growth� and “Modernisation� which underpinned the bank’s strategic intent of being “the clear leader in the financial services industry�.

Even if the actual words of the brand essence have changed based on recent rebranding efforts by the current management of the bank, the philosophy remains the same. That is, a bank that takes pride in its rich history, longevity, time honored ethical values that confer solidity and safety, while it has made itself nimble and modern enough to adapt to the dynamic operating environment and be strongly competitive! Dependably Dynamic as brand essence represents the single concept which drives the understanding of the brand and best personifies the behaviour, products and services of the bank even as it has its roots in the past, present and future. The brand essence captures the spirit of all the four identified brand pillars at the time and which remain relevant: Leadership, Safety & Security, Enterprise and Service Excellence.

What are your reminiscences on managing the corporate image of a brand like FBN? The foundation for managing the brand’s corporate image was laid by the Brand Transformation Project which was ongoing when I joined the bank. When I later assumed the role of Chief Strategy Officer, the erstwhile Corporate Affairs Department came fully within my purview under the name Image Management in addition to the responsibilities handled by the former Chief Strategy Officer. Image management was headed by Jide Ogundele from the old Corporate Affairs while Brand Management was headed by Emmanuel Obeta, who was hired for the purpose in the course of the Brand Transformation Project, both of them reporting to me as members of the team. As these individuals subsequently moved on to other roles within and outside the bank, I got the CEO’s concurrence to merge all image management, brand management and corporate communications activities as one single Brand Management Department for greater synergy to achieve our objectives under me as Chief Strategy Officer, and engaged someone who had earlier joined the team, Helen Uju Ogboh (still in the Bank but has moved on to other responsibilities) to work with me in driving the process. Brand projection and management of corporate image were then actualised and driven within the context of the larger role of the Chief Strategy Officer as strategic activities vital to corporate success. Therefore, on one hand, we drove “direct� initiatives around advertisement and significant presence in local and international media coupled with deliberate feature articles; outdoor advertising on billboards and wall drapes; sponsorship of and participation at strategic local and international events (World Economic Forum, Economist Conferences, etc) with speaking opportunities at the highest level; international awards and presence at CEO and Board levels; use of Below The line items (calendars, diaries, corporate gifts etc) as conscious means of strategic brand projection due to the quality and timeliness being competitive tools; as well as general branding.

On the other hand, my role as Chief Strategy

Bakare

Officer also enabled me to leverage various other initiatives within my purview and fully optimise opportunities for brand projection and corporate image enhancement. Some of these included branch development in liaison with other stakeholders complete with proper branding to enhance customer experience in the outlets; creation of new subsidiaries of the bank and extending the group co-ordination role to ensure uniform branding across all subsidiaries both locally and internationally projecting the First Bank monolithic brand, expansion of the bank internationally in Asia and Europe with representative offices or branches, enhancement of the design, quality and content of the bank’s Annual Report reinforcing the First Bank corporate identity and the variants of the bank’s brand colours at different times; the Bank’s hydrid offer making it the first Nigerian institution to attain N1 trillion market capitalization, which was well exploited in the press; Standard & Poor’s international ratings being the first in the 100-year history of the Bank and the second Nigerian corporate to obtain such thereby raising the bank’s international profile; investor relations participation at various international fora (London Stock Exchange, IFC Washington DC, Merrill Lynch, Renaissance Capital etc) to project the brand and tell the FirstBank story usually together with the then Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who later became the Bank’s CEO, subsequently Central Bank Governor and now Emir of Kano.

How were you able to surmount the challenges of managing the brand image of an old bank that still remained relevant, modern and contemporary?

It is very important to state that as Chief Strategy Officer responsible for Corporate Planning & Group Co-ordination of which

the realigned Brand Management was part, I had the full support of the MD/CEO, Mr. Jacobs Moyo Ajekigbe to whom I reported directly. Ajekigbe allowed freedom of thought in the implementation of the Brand Strategy developed with my team members, drawing inspiration from the Brand Transformation Project which was aligned with the Bank’s overall corporate aspirations underpinned by the key imperatives of “Growth� and “Modernisation�.

As earlier stated, I joined the bank in 2003 as part of the Group responsible for anchoring the project and by the time I actually took over in 2006 a lot of foundational work had been done. The rationale was that for an organisation that had been around for over a century, there was the need to refocus and energise our brand in response to contemporary realities. This rationale had been clearly communicated and imbibed by different stakeholders including staff by 2006 while we were at the stage of what was called Brand Acculturation which involved extensive training of staff on different aspects of the new brand with the support of Alder Consulting which had been extensively involved in the implementation of the entire project working with the main Brand Consultants, Enterprise IG of South Africa.

So, the idea of rejuvenating and constantly refreshing and extending the brand from different perspectives was reasonably well understood and shared across the Bank by the time I assumed direct responsibility for managing the brand image. Being fully in charge, it became necessary to emphasise that this was beyond change of logo, aesthetics and overall physical look of our workplace which were very necessary but the initiatives must be all-encompassing to create the brand image that would drive the Dependably Dynamic brand essence.

Let’s talk a bit about some speciďŹ c brand building efforts of the bank while you were in the saddle. What were their KPIs? And, how far were they achieved by the efforts?

The brand building efforts were rolled out and implemented within the context of the Brand Strategy developed with my team to provide a shared understanding of what underpinned individual and seemingly disparate initiatives. As earlier indicated, the bank had embarked on the Enterprise Transformation Projects - Century II in 1996 and Century II – The New Frontier in 2001. To rejuvenate the brand as part of these renewal efforts, the Bank further commissioned the Brand Transformation Project, which was launched in 2004. The Brand Strategy drew inspiration from this to ensure a coordinated approach to engaging competition on the projection of the FirstBank brand and increasing the share of mind and wallet of the increasingly more sophisticated and discerning banking public.

The Brand Strategy was based on the bank’s strategic intent of being “the clear leader in the financial services industry�, which was hinged on the two imperatives of “Growth� and “Modernisation�. So, implementation of our brand building efforts was anchored on four major areas: the bank’s retail environment; advertisements and signage deployment; promotions and events sponsorships and acculturation.

For the bank’s retail environment, this centered on implementing with support from General Services Department, radical changes in the outlook, ambiance and elegance of our branches being customers’ points of interface with the brand. Between 2006 and 2009 that I was in charge, we developed 129 new branches reflecting the new brand image in all respects. More importantly, as part of a deliberate program, we remodeled the exterior and interior of over 200 existing branches to facilitate uniformity of brand and customer experience across our locations.

Advertisements: With the support of Consultants, we developed new corporate advert for the Bank as well as product adverts for U-first, the umbrella brand adopted for the Bank’s consumer banking suite of products; ran the Corporate and U-first commercials on international media such as CNN, Supersport as well as on local media, Channels TV, NTA, AIT and state-owned TV stations; enhanced the Bank’s presence in the international media/ circuit through various platforms like the CNN Magazine programme – CNN Eye On Africa; ran advertisements on strategic pages and sponsored feature interviews in international magazines like The Banker, Global Finance, Business In Africa, Institutional Investor, JeuneAfric, Euromoney, Emerging Markets, The Economist, targeting key events like World Economic Forum, IMF/World Bank meetings, Economist Conferences; ran press campaigns with supplementary press statements in the Global Finance Magazine in celebration of the Global Finance awards won by the Bank during the IMF/World Bank meetings and always ensured strong representation, the Bank has continued to win these awards.

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Bakare: Consistency in Strategy Shaped FirstBank Brand Are there more you can talk about?

Also, significantly we improved FirstBank’s relationship with the press to facilitate positive and objective disposition, part of this included for example full sponsorship of print and broadcast journalists to international events for effective coverage of the Bank’s participation; initiated and consistently locked in FirstBank advert slot on Channels Business News during the station’s flagship “Channels News at 10.00pm�, and the Bank has continued with this till date; ensured the Bank’s keyevents or activities whether local or international were reported on the same day on Channels TV and the next edition of NTA Newsline; ensured that photo stories of the Bank’s events were placed on the front pages of all major newspapers; THISDAY, Punch, Guardian, etc, the day after such events; ensured all adverts in local print media were specifically placed in pages two or three in the major newspapers for maximum impact; initiated placement of press releases or sponsored articles where we told our story in our own way on the front page of key newspapers, for example THISDAY “Window�, to announce landmark achievements or significant developments; ran press campaigns to showcase the Bank’s commitment to the Small and Medium Enterprises Equity Investment Scheme (SMEEIS) through First Funds Limited; ran multi-media campaigns on the Bank’s intervention in the agriculture sector of the economy; ran a robust Savings Promo campaign to facilitate the Bank’s drive for savings deposits and showcase incentive for loyal customers. Also significantly repackaged and enhanced the Bank’s Annual Report in terms of content, design, disclosure level, advertisement of the Bank and its products particularly U-First suite, making the Annual Report a major brand projection tool.

Billboards which carried a mixture of corporate and product adverts, were aggressively mounted across the country increasing the number of sites from 35 to almost 60 in addition to large wall drapes on walls of buildings in strategic locations across the country including Samuel Asabia House, the Head-Office building on 35, Marina. There was also deliberate airport branding with advertisements using billboards or drapes within and around international and local airports in the country, especially in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt.

Of particular mention was branding of Terminal II of the Murtala Mohammed Airport [Domestic Wing], Ikeja, Lagos.

There is also signage deployment, that is implemented scenic branding involving directional signs and/or beautification along major roads, entry points of major towns, selected local governments; initiated and rolled-out large pylons as a one-stop corporate and product advert platform in all branches rather than the hitherto disparate and unwieldy product signages.

Under sponsorships and promotions, the bank continued to sponsor international conferences but enhanced participation with speaking opportunities at World Economic Forum, Economist Conferences and new events at Harvard Business School etc; initiated International Conference on Food Security; initiated sponsorship of Calabar Carnival and maintained it annually; endowed strategic projects in some universities to complement the research based endowments, these projects include the Multipurpose Auditorium at the University of Ibadan, the ICT Hot Spot at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Faculty of Dentistry Building at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and 500-Seater Lecture Theatre at OAU Ile-Ife, among others.

Of course, First Bank also deplored massive Below The Line materials, through which it significantly enhanced the quality, branding and timeliness of calendars, diaries, souvenirs etc as deliberate means of competitive relationship management, ensuring distribution to customers latest by early November of the preceding year. This was well appreciated by all stakeholders.

These were some of the brand building efforts of the Bank while I was in the saddle.

The overall KPI to signify that these initiatives had the desired impact was the Bank’s brand positioning and ranking as well as awards, both local and international.

reputation management. And even though Marketing Communications is a separate Division unlike the model when I served, I believe it has been able to synchronize well with other Divisions in the Bank where such co-operation is required to enhance the image of the Bank.

How will you assess the Bank’s current corporate image and its rating?

I believe the current corporate image is still consistent with what we tried to achieve with the Dependably Dynamic brand essence as it continues to portray a Bank that is proud to project its rich history and longevity while it strongly adapts to the dynamic operating environment to be modern and competitive. It offers services to customers within the context of very strong and unapologetic but reasonable corporate governance and risk management. I would rate the corporate image A++.

Bakare

What were your most memorable moments and on the other hand, most challenging moments in achieving the transformational phases of FBN? As I alluded to, my portfolio as Chief Strategy Officer, was rather expansive with coverage which, without being immodest, had not been handled by anyone before or after me, at least to the best of my knowledge!

In my response to the first question in the course of this interview, I indicated the various departments under my purview and to put my expansive role in context, at the time I was moving on, Corporate Planning and Group Co-ordination which I headed as Chief Strategy Officer was split into four four distinct Divisions. So, you can appreciate that I would have had many memorable and challenging moments on a regular basis in handling the multifarious responsibilities for transforming FirstBank including the brand management aspect.

The sheer scope of responsibility which required hands-on management with the support of my wonderful team was in itself a challenge. Just picture navigating from: planning board retreat in its entirety in different locations across the world from the content to the logistics for all board members; strategy development, review and implementation monitoring/project execution; new business/revenue stream development for the FirstBank Group; operating model reviews etc; to: preparation and printing of Annual Reports of the highest quality in terms of content and branding to cover the Bank and all subsidiaries; professionally handled Annual General Meeting (AGM) and all activities before it being very elaborate in FirstBank (pre-AGM luncheon, pre-AGM cocktail) with full media coverage; FirstBank Quiz and Essay Competitions with media coverage; participation of the Bank at World Economic Forum, IMF/World Bank meetings etc; delivery and branding of corporate gifts and managing vendors; production of Christmas and Sallah cards of the highest quality in a timely manner; production of highest quality calendars and diaries in a timely manner latest by first week in November of the preceding year to create relationship management advantage for managing customers etc. So, from the obviously cerebral to the seemingly regular, a number of the Bank’s milestone activities in the course of a typical year on which you couldn’t have a second chance if there was any slip, revolved around me and the Bank looked up to me in many ways. So, I had to be on my toes and have a “well-oiled machine� to facilitate excellent performance, always!. This was a great challenge which one addressed decisively and consistently during the period but it was also fun.

Some of the memorable moments would include the hybrid offer in 2007/2008 which was successful in every respect from the

publicity managed by Touchstone, a relatively small firm that had never worked for FirstBank before then using a live elephant brought to the Head-Office, to the actual result which led to FirstBank being the first Nigerian company to attain N1trillion market capitalization. Then there was the partnership with Sanlam, the global South-African based insurance conglomerate, which I initiated at a cocktail event in London and eventually led to an MOU finally giving rise to FBN Insurance that has become a major force in the Nigerian insurance industry.

I could go on and on but one other moment I recall with mixed feelings was when a vendor who had been invited to our competitive and very transparent bidding process for ‘Below The Line’ items tried to offer me bribe stating to my face that everyone had a price! Of course, I rebuffed him and advised that he should put his mind on competing fairly if he was still interested in continuing because the team had no favourites. As fate would have it, based on the quality of his company’s presentation and other clearly defined parameters, he eventually came out the best from the process at all levels up to the Executive Committee! He subsequently showed great admiration for the Bank and the governance system when he was engaged.

If I had compromised and accepted his bribe, he would have sworn that it was the bribe that got him the contract and that there was no way you could get ahead with a Nigerian institution even FirstBank, without “greasing palms�.

Would you say that FBN has been consistent and proactive in its strategic image management?

I would say yes. All the points made in the course of this interview clearly indicate such consistency and being strategic. The succeeding teams after I left in 2009 have built on the foundation to take the brand to another level. A number of the local and international platforms we opened up are still being leveraged to even greater extent.

Event sponsorships with speaking and branding opportunities, exotic and high-profile branding of corporate events like AGMs, year-end parties etc, presence in local media for example advertisement in the business segment of the flagship Channels News At 10.00 which we initiated during my tenure has continued till date, international fora like World Economic Forum has continued to be leveraged even beyond participation.

There has also been a rebranding exercise subsequent to my exit which has reviewed the logo to give further dynamism even as the brand has remained monolithic, ensuring uniformity across all subsidiaries which have increased substantially all over Africa since I left. There is continued centralized control of brand standards and

Going forward, how far into the future can you see the FBN brand; and what future do you see for it?

Very far! There were moments in recent history when the continued existence of the FirstBank brand was challenged in the bid to fast-track its African expansion through a planned merger deal but the idea was eventually stepped down after series of long-drawn, rigorous and extensive reviews over a couple of years and I strongly believe that the lessons of those moments would ensure that the iconic brand continues to flourish. Even when actions might have been taken in recent times on the altar of expediency and the need to maintain lead in a fiercely competitive market, the consequences of such actions have reinforced the Bank’s resolve to stay true to its time honoured principles which have upheld it this far on its journey. Indeed, well into the future, I believe the history of the bank, the valued traditions and approach to governance will always ensure the FirstBankbrand continues to exist as a major player in Nigeria, Africa and internationally.

How does it feel to have at one time, been a part of the 125-year old premier bank in Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria?

Great and nostalgic as I was not just a part but made some modest contributions which I will dwell on in the course of the interview. I first got involved with FirstBank as a Management Consultantin 1996 when I was a key member of the Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) led Enterprise Transformation Project tagged “Century II�, which laid the foundation to reposition the bank for a more successful second century of operations, maintaining leadership in a more challenging and dynamic financial services industry. Among other deliverables on that major project, I had primary responsibility for conceiving the idea of a new Consumer Banking Strategic Business Unit (SBU) and developing the SBU Strategy along with a FirstBank counterpart staff, Mrs. Christy Okoye, then an Assistant General Manager who later became the pioneer Head of that SBU and eventually an Executive Director in the Bank.

I subsequently joined the banking industry and some years later in 2003 came back to FirstBankto start a career that lasted six years. I served as the Bank’s Chief Strategy Officer with responsibilities covering Strategy and Implementation (for the Bank and the Group);New Business Development; Mergers & Acquisitions;Conception/Incubation of New Subsidiaries and Group Co-ordination; Economic Intelligence; Local/International Ratings, Investor Relations, Brand Management and Corporate Communications. At some point I also oversaw the Products portfolio covering Consumer Banking Products, Agricultural Business, Money Transfer and Wholesale Banking Products.

I remain a proud ambassador and alumnus of FirstBank, going on to become an Executive Director in Keystone Bank Limited upon nomination by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), culminating in my service as Managing Director/CEO having led the post-divestment transition of Keystone Bank upon AMCON’s successful divestment.

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Eitokpah: Adopting Technology Will Improve Productivity Women in rural areas across Nigeria are working to make impact in the development of their localities.

It is noteworthy that women in the hinterlands and coastal line areas in the Niger Delta are currently embracing emerging technology to boost economic activities and their standard of living. The Capacity Building Programme Manager and Gender Mainstreaming Coordinator at the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, Bose Eitokpah, in this interview says women’s productivity and income will improve if they embrace technologies. Adedayo Adejobi brings the excerpts:

G

ender mainstreaming is one area that the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) focuses on in the Niger Delta, what is the motive behind this?

If you look at the Niger Delta region, you would agree with me that there are more women at the bottom of the ladder, struggling with life and particularly with poverty. They don’t have opportunities that are available to the men, yet they contribute immensely to the economic activities of the region. At PIND, we visualise an egalitarian and peaceful society that guarantees equal rights and equitable access to and control of productive resources; ensuring that individuals, marginalised women are empowered to create wealth and overcome poverty and disease irrespective of sex and other demographic differentials.

For instance, the Foundation in 2011 and 2012 commissioned two gender studies. We wanted the advocacy to be evidence based.

And truly, the findings affirmed that patrilineal inheritance patterns in most parts of the Niger Delta, discriminatory socio-cultural norms, and exclusion of women from decision-making processes, restricted mobility and the gender division of labor within communities have strong links with women’s level of access to and control over productive resources. By 2014, we developed a gender policy to further strengthen the Foundation’s commitment to supporting youth, women and men, in achieving their economic growth in a peaceful and enabling environment. We all know that if a woman is empowered, a whole community is empowered.

Therefore, with gender mainstreaming, we are working to make sure that women in the Niger Delta realise their economic potentials and lead meaningful lives.

Nigeria recently joined the rest of the world to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD), what is the history of the Foundation in celebrating this day?

The International Women Day celebration has become an annual event for us at PIND. We should actually refer to the whole month of March the International Women’s Month because only one day – March 8 – is not enough to celebrate women, particularly so, as most events happen either before or after March 8.

Having said that, let me recall when PIND started to commemorate IWD. The Foundation first participated in the celebration of IWD in 2015. Deriving its theme from the Global theme: “#MakeItHappen,� PIND chose the theme: “#MakeitHappen – Women as Peace Agents in the Niger Delta.� Following this, eight women were profiled as peace agents. These women were interviewed and featured in a week-long social media campaign on NDLink, PIND’s online development information hub. Three of these women later participated in a live radio show to discuss the theme and issue a call to action. Since then, commemorating IWD has become a constant annual activity for the Foundation with PIND and its collaborating partners deciding on unique themes derived from the national theme. The 2016 global theme was “Pledge for Parity� and PIND and its partners’ theme was “Pledge for Parity: Support Women in Agriculture.� A forum was organised to celebrate women farmers and to discuss how women can achieve parity through agriculture in Asaba, Delta State.

The 2017 national theme was “Be Bold for Change.� PIND and its several partners organised two fora, one on “Women Be Bold for Change in Adopting Agricultural Technologies� in Benin, Edo State and a second forum on “Women Be bold for Change in Peace Building and Community Leadership� in Bayelsa State, both with different audiences and partners.

Eitokpah

The national theme for 2018 was: “Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’ Lives.� PIND’s corresponding theme was: “Time is Now: Transform Lives of Rural Women in Agriculture and Small Businesses.� To reflect the essence of the topic, the event was held as an outreach to local women farmers in Umukabia Ogodo in Imo State. For 2019, The UN International theme which was also the national theme for IWD is “Think Equal, Build Smart, and Innovate for Change.� Taking its inspiration from the theme, PIND and its partners chose the theme: “Innovate for Change’’. Innovate for Change for PIND and its partners mean

It might interest you to know that women in the riverine communities of the Niger Delta are mostly into ďŹ sh smoking.

This is what they do to earn their living, though using old technology of barrels or drums as stove for smoking ďŹ sh. This old method as you may be aware is hazardous to their health, dangerous to the eco-system, expensive to manage and not economical for the large scale of processing the do

doing things differently/smartly in order to increase efficiency, productivity and impacts.

In 2019, the celebration was about innovating for change, we decided to showcase and promote fish smoking technologies that we have introduced to the coastal line women in the Niger Delta at this year’s celebration. It might interest you to know that women in the riverine communities of the Niger Delta are mostly into fish smoking. This is what they do to earn their living, though using old technology of barrels or drums as stove for smoking fish. This old method as you may be aware is hazardous to their health, dangerous to the eco-system, expensive to manage and not economical for the large scale of processing the do. The Foundation and its partners thought of how to help them to work smart, improve their income and bring about meaningful and sustainable change. So we came up with promoting the two inventions: the Chokor oven and Smoking kiln. These two innovations have been tested and proven to be user friendly, economical and can best be described as appropriate technologies for women in aquaculture value chain. So the management of the Foundation decided to use the 2019 IWD to increase awareness of Chorkor Oven and Smoking Kiln as appropriate technologies for fish smoking among riverine women in the nine Niger Delta states. We felt that practical demonstrations of the use of the technologies would help to facilitate a change in the mindset of women in the adoption of Chorkor Oven and Smoking Kiln. This was actually done during the IWD event which was held in Akure, Ondo State and we saw the enthusiasm of women in not only embracing these tools but also in putting them into use.

We also used that event to facilitate linkages and networking among women farmers and relevant actors/stakeholders. A total of 182 participants (160 women and 22 men) attended the forum that combined practical demonstration of fish smoking technologies and discourse.

What are the beneďŹ ts of the new ďŹ sh

smoking technologies?

Fish smoking is a major occupation for 80 percent of women across the coastline of the riverine communities of the Niger Delta. The Chorkor Oven (CO) and Smoking Kiln are technologies designed for fish processors who are mostly women. Women spend hours and days smoking fish with drums which consume firewood, time and expose them to burns and carcinogenic material. The CO is made with locally sourced material and reduces fuel cost by 40 percent and saves time by 37 percent. The first set of COs was designed to serve clusters of fish smokers.

They were huge and installed in central locations. Discussions with women in communities and study by PIND confirmed that location of COs in public spaces hindered its acceptance by women, most of who culturally carry out their fish smoking activities within their home premises, while performing other domestic functions. Even though, various sizes of COs that allow women own their smoking ovens within the convenience of their homes have been introduced, the held notion of COs being communal in size and deployment has persisted and continues to affect its acceptance and adoption by women in many communities. Creating awareness about the diversity in current designs of COs (this is innovation) was to help change this negative perception and increase interest of women in CO. At the Akure forum, women who are using the ‘new CO models’ shared their experiences on how they have improved processing, preservation and income from fish as a result of technologies adopted. Their stories were compelling.

How will these help to alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta?

When women adopt technology, it means their productivity will improve and income will increase. This means improvement in earning and purchasing power of women. This will in turn reflect on their living standard and the wellbeing of their households.

Women in the coastal line of Niger Delta complain of not having capital to work, is there any plan to assist them?

Well, this is a familiar challenge, but I will say that the Foundation is talking to banks to develop suitable products for the women. The Foundation is also establishing relationships with development organisations with some focus on increasing access of women and business membership organizations in Agricultural value chains to business resources. The IWD event really created an opportunity for the women to present their successes, achievements and then to look for platforms to address some issues that have been impeding their advancement at the community level, state and region and one of such is the problem of funds. Everyone knows that the issue of accessing resources is a recurring issue for women in business. One thing we did was include a session on how to access resources to procure technologies in the agenda of the Akure IWD event. The discussants also addressed issue of value addition. We had senior officials from the Nigeria Export and Import Bank, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, President of Organisation of Women in International Trade, interact with the women. Issue of peace was also mainstreamed in the forum agenda. High Chief Akomolafe Pius, Ondo State Partners for Peace Network Coordinator engaged the women on the importance of fostering peaceful environment while in pursuit of innovation and change.

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Golden Opportunity for a Growing Continent Haley Lowry

B

y the end of this century, our planet will host another four billion people. Three billion of them will be born in Africa. That’s another three billion people with the associated increase in demand for food, water and energy. Rising to the challenge of these needs presents a daunting task. However, considered from a different lens - it’s another three billion people with hopes, aspirations and dreams. Humanity, on a vast scale, has the potential to take – yet it also has the power to create.

Plastic was created a century ago. It is one of the most groundbreaking material solutions in humanity’s history, transforming modern life. Food is kept fresher for longer.

We can protect delicate, life-giving devices and medicines, even when they’re shipped to remote areas to deliver care. Plastic is fundamental to infrastructure, electricity networks and telecommunications that connect our communities and help power our homes.

Supporting our growing population will demand we take advantage of such benefits: yet today we’re at risk of allowing an incredible invention to damage our planet and threaten the precious resources that we’re going to need to sustain us in years to come.

Research from the Ocean Conservancy shows that nearly 80 per cent of plastic waste in the ocean begins as litter on land, the vast majority of which travels to the sea by rivers.

One study estimates that over 90 per cent of plastic in the ocean comes from 10 major rivers around the world – eight in Asia, and two in Africa. This poor waste management is not just an environmental disaster; it has major safety implications too. Take Ghana, where open drains fill with litter, hindering water flow and leading to flooding. The result? A proposed plastics ban in 2015 due to a flood-related national disaster in which 200 people died and 46,370 people were affected.

The response was understandable – but is it a long term solution? Are we demonising a material that brings so many benefits, and could be crucial in terms of sustaining a growing population in the future?

See the value, protect the environment, generate economic growth Here in Africa we have a fantastic opportunity to make plastic a vital part of our burgeoning circular economy. We have an enviable passion for development which is already transforming our societies – so why not harness this and create an international blueprint for how successful circular economies can thrive, with plastic as an obvious example? If we consider the potential economic value that can be derived from plastics post-use, throwing it away may be equivalent to physically throwing Africa’s money away too. And we simply cannot afford to let that happen.

At Dow, we believe that plastics are simply too valuable to go to waste. For example, we are active in ensuring that all plastics we sell into packaging applications have a market after they are used, through application development, new material designs, partnerships, and investments. That commitment is built on a clear set of beliefs on how plastics can be used sustainably: first, we don’t support the over-use of plastic or over-packaging.

Plastic should only be used when it offers the lowest environmental impact (through its life cycle for that application). Even where plastic is the best material for the job, as little of it should be used as possible. And when it is the best material for the job, as little of it should be used as possible.

Secondly: no plastic should end up in the environment. If plastic retains value through its life-span, in future it will be too valuable to be lost to the environment. But we also believe we have a responsibility today to help to clean up plastic that has entered our land and marine environment.

As a result, we are putting investment and action into three key areas: ensuring no plastics get into the environment; delivering circular economy solutions and increasing impact through partnerships. We are approaching these key pillars in a variety of ways, through innovation to enhance the recyclability of plastics, through awareness

Plastic dumpsite

and education campaigns, and by ensuring there is an end market for recycled material.

And all of this is happening right now, right here, in Africa.

Innovation through collaboration Take the remarkable, African-led combination of education, engagement and clean-up branded Project Butterfly: an initiative created by Dow to raise awareness of the devastating impact of littering and poor waste management in Africa. Working with local communities, association Plastics SA and grassroots NGOs in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, the project shows not only how vital it is to keep local environments litter-free, but demonstrates the value of recycling - transforming ordinary waste into something new.

Such important, collaborative initiatives encourage us all to look closely at the entire lifecycle of the impact of plastics and drive improvements across the value chain.

Fundamental to this is driving down plastic

Plastic was created a century ago. It is one of the most groundbreaking material solutions in humanity’s history, transforming modern life. Food is kept fresher for longer. We can protect delicate, lifegiving devices and medicines, even when they’re shipped to remote areas to deliver care.

Plastic is fundamental to infrastructure, electricity networks and telecommunications that connect our communities and help power our homes

waste in all its forms from initial production through to end of life – and valuing its role in helping to reduce waste in other value chains along the way.

Initiatives such as the Dow-led Pack Studios are already reaping rewards in Africa, where we are working with partners to create new solutions for plastic packaging, focusing on design and re-use: down-gauging, light-weighting, resource efficiency and recyclability. This includes offering technology and materials to accelerate easy to recycle packaging designs as well as the use of compatibilizers to enhance post-consumer recyclables. These are all essential elements of more sustainable plastics design Creating circular economy in Africa However, if we don’t deal with end-of-life plastic in whatever form we find it, then we are not looking at the whole solution. We must accelerate recovery of plastic and reap value from it – and despite the bleak imagery of plastics in the environment, Africa is in fact already a leading light in this respect and has the potential to set a global example.

A report by Plastics SA shows the plastics recycling industry in South Africa created jobs for almost 58,100 people through the formal and informal sector, contributing over $30 million to the economy in 2017. The country’s recycling rate is an impressive 43.7 per cent, well above the European average of 31.1 per cent. This development in plastic recycling stems from three decades of targeted regulatory changes in the waste management sector, as well as voluntary waste management initiatives such as PETCO - the PET Recycling Company NPC, a company incorporated in 2004 by the South African PET plastic industry to effect post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling.

Let’s go back to Ghana, the scene of those fatal floods in 2015. Dow, along with seven other global companies, has initiated an incredible project, GRIPE (Ghana Recycling Initiative by Private Enterprise), which aims to drive an improved plastic waste value chain.

The project – which identified plastic modified concrete for construction, wood-plastic composite for furniture and plastic modified bitumen for roads as second life solutions – helps enable diversion of waste from landfill, provides jobs through waste collection, sorting and processing centers and effects behavioral change to reduce littering and help protect the marine environment.

Another great African example is the recycling start-up Destination Green in

Tembisa, South Africa, with funding and expertise from Dow and Plastics SA. The Tembisa Township has no waste management infrastructure and litter had become a major problem. Destination Green is now a burgeoning recycling business, processing over 35MT of plastic every week in Tembisa and with potential to expand even further.

Dow is also working with the Wildlands Conservation Trust in Durban to expand their Recycling Village model with an aim to collect 1.2 million kilograms recyclable waste from over 10,000 homes, generating value in waste plastic, providing employment, and improving living standards. The project includes an experimental extrusion line designed to turn previously unrecyclable plastic into recyclate, material that can be used to create school desks and building materials.

Now Wildlands is investing in technology which will enable them to use waste plastic and transform it back into diesel, providing fuel for waste collection trucks. Another big part of Wildlands’ success is empowering the “wastepreneurs� who collect and sort the litter and receive a regular income, improving their environment and their lives.

A golden opportunity from plastic These examples, amongst others, are just some of the ways in which Dow is localizing scalable solutions to address plastics in the environment. I believe that securing the role of plastics in Africa’s circular economy could move us towards a world where the practical and social benefits of plastics can be matched by its environmental performance. This way, not only should no plastics end up in the environment, but we could contribute to Africa’s economic growth at the same time.

It will require the participation of everyone across the entire value chain and the long term commitment of businesses, governments, and communities. No one country, company or community can solve this on their own – but surely this is a golden opportunity for a continent which not only has the potential to lead the way, but has pressing needs for doing so. As the African proverb says, “we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors we borrow it from our children.�

Those three billion extra people have the chance to benefit from a new, sustainable future for plastics – but only if we take action now.

-Lowry, is the Global Sustainability and End Use Marketing Director, Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics

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Delicate Moment for Global Economy Christine Lagarde As President Theodore Roosevelt once put it: “There is every reason why we should face the future seriously, neither hiding from ourselves the gravity of the problems nor fearing to approach these problems with the unbending, unflinching purpose to solve them aright.”[i] I would like to focus on how we can harness this “unbending purpose” for the benefit of all. Let me begin with the global economic weather map.

A year ago, I said, “the sun is shining—fix the roof.” Six months ago, I pointed to clouds of risk on the horizon. Today, the weather is increasingly “unsettled”. What do I mean by that?

In January, the IMF projected global growth for 2019 and 2020 at around 3 ½ percent—less than in the recent past, but still reasonable. It has since lost further momentum, as you will see from our updated forecast next week.

Only two years ago, 75 percent of the global economy experienced an upswing.

For this year, we expect 70 percent of the global economy to experience a slowdown in growth.

But, to be clear, we do not see a recession in the near term. In fact, we expect some pickup in growth in the second half of 2019 and into 2020.

So you see what I mean by “unsettled”.

Indeed, the global economy is at a “delicate moment”.

Global growth has been slowing, largely because of rising trade tensions and financial tightening in the second half of 2018. At the same time, global economic activity is set to benefit from the now more-patient pace of monetary normalization by major central banks—led by the US Fed—and from increased stimulus, in China for example.

These policy responses have supported an easing of financial conditions and increased capital flows to emerging markets, where currencies have strengthened relative to the US dollar.

But, again, to be clear: the expected rebound in global growth later this year is precarious. It is vulnerable to downside risks—including country-related uncertainties, such as Brexit, and broader uncertainties such as high debt in some sectors and countries, tensionsaround trade policy, and a sense of uneasein financial markets.

For example: should there be a sharper-than-expected tightening of financial conditions, it could create serious challenges for many governments and companies in terms of refinancing and debt service—which could amplify exchange rate movements and financial market corrections.

Three Areas of Policy Action So indeed, this is a delicate moment that requires us to “handle with care”. This means that we must not only avoid policy missteps, but also be sure to take the right policy steps.

I see three mutually reinforcing areas of action: In domestic policies; in cross-border policies; and in coordinated efforts to tackle the major global challenges we all face.

Let me touch on each of these: (a) Domestic Policies to Build More Resilient and Inclusive Economies First and foremost, policies must provide conditions at home for people to succeed. You might have heard me say “we should fix the roof!”—especially when it comes to structural reforms that can help boost productivity and long-term growth. There is no one-size-fits-all, of course—policies should be customized to meet the needs of individual countries.

Broadly speaking, however, macroeconomic policy should aim to secure growth and stability. Monetary policy should remain accommodative where inflation is below target, and should anchor expectations. Exchange rate flexibility should be used, as needed, to help absorb shocks. And the financial sector should be strengthened and risks reduced by maintaining the impetus of regulatory reform.

The reality is that many economies are not resilient enough. High public debt and low interest rates have left limited room to act when the next downturn comes, which inevitably it will.

For many countries, this implies making smarter use of fiscal policy which, in turn, means striking the right balance between growth, debt sustainability, and social objectives.

As a former Finance Minister, I know that this is not so easily done. It involves building fiscal buffers in good times, while creating enough fiscal space to act in bad times. It involves the continual hard work of upgrading tax systems, mobilizing domestic revenue, prioritizing growth-friendly expenditure, and reducing public debt where needed.

It also involves addressing excessive inequality. Here fiscal policy can play a key role, including through progressive tax measures that would need to be country-

Lagarde

specific, and stronger safety nets that can help address dislocations caused by technological change and globalization.

Above all, fiscal policy can help create broader opportunities by providing access to quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure—especially for those who have been left behind or left out. In many countries, this means paying special attention to young people and to women.

This kind of policy action can help build confidence and trust—and overcome perceptions of an unfair sharing of economic benefits.

One area where these perceptions are growing is in the increasing concentration of market power by a few corporate giants.

New IMF analysis[ii] shows that, over the past two decades, rising corporate market power in advanced economies had only a very small effect on investment, output, and the share of national income paid to workers.

But we also found that a small number of highly dynamic companies accounted for the highest price markups. In other words, there is a “winner-takes-most” dynamic at play—especially pronounced in the digital economy.

I am not saying that we currently have a “monopoly problem”. But I am saying that we should take appropriate measures—so that it does not become a problem.

That means reducing barriers to entry for new firms and reforming competition frameworks to ensure a level playing field in all sectors, whether traditional or high-tech. (b) Cross-Border Efforts to Provide a More Level Playing Field This brings me to my second priority area for action: cross-border policies. Here there are a wide range of economic issues to be addressed: upgrading financial regulations, improving debt transparency, tackling illicit financial flows—to name a few.

But when it comes to levelling the playing field across borders, no issue looms larger than trade. This is an area where the Chamber and the IMF share much common ground.

We know that, for many decades, trade integration has helped to increase prosperity, reduce poverty, spread new technologies, and boost productivity. For people all over the world, it has reduced the cost of living and created millions of new jobs with higher wages.

At the same time, we know that not everyone has benefitted, that there are distortions in the trade system, and that it needs to be reformed.

We also know that trade barriers are not the answer. More new research from the IMF—about to be released—shows just how important it is to avoid policy missteps in this sphere.

Analyzing experience from 180 countries over the past six decades, we have found that trade integration clearly boosts investment—in plant, machinery, and many other high-job-creating areas. Conversely, trade barriers clearly damage investment and employment.[iii] This finding is of particular relevance now, at a time when trade tensions could further damage investment—and at a time when investment is already weak.

So, again, it is a delicate moment, and we should be careful.

Specifically, we have looked at what might happen if tariffs[iv] on all goods traded between the US and China went up by 25

percentage points. That alone would reduce annual GDP by up to 0.6 percent in the US and by up to 1.5 percent in China.[v] These are potentially self-inflicted wounds that should be avoided.

And yet, discussions about trade distortions or unfair practices are often bound up with the concept of bilateral trade deficits and surpluses—and tariffs.

The fact is that, historically, bilateral trade balances have been driven mostly by macroeconomic factors, not bilateral tariffs.

In other words, the most effective way to reduce a bilateral trade deficit is to steer clear of tariffs—because tariffs on the goods of one country only divert trade flows to other countries.

Nobody wins a trade war—you might have heard me say that as well! That is why we need to work together to reduce trade barriers and modernize the global trade system—so that we all win.

That means addressing issues such as state subsidies, intellectual property, and data privacy. It also means new deals to unlock the full potential of tradeable services and digital commerce. And it means having rulesbased frameworks to ensure fair competition and a level playing field.

So, as we move forward, we need collective action to modernize the key functions of the World Trade Organization: from negotiation, to transparency, to dispute resolution.

This will create a stronger and more flexible system.

Of course, leveling the playing field across borders is not only about trade. In recent days—as you may have seen—the IMF has also emphasized the need to improve the framework around international corporate taxation.

I have gone so far as to say the system is fundamentally out-of-date. And I believe that we share the Chamber’s view that it is counterproductive for countries to take a unilateral approach.

We need a cross-border effort.

Reforming international corporate taxation is a challenge for all countries. But developing economies rely especially on corporate tax revenues to fund essential investment in people and infrastructure.

Our analysis shows that non-OECD countries lose about $200 billion a year because companies are able to shift profits to low-tax locations.[vi] This foregone revenue makes it even more difficult for low-income countries to increase growth, employment —and to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by the agreed target date of 2030.

The good news is that efforts to modernize the international corporate tax system are underway. But there is a lot more to be done.

The IMF has put forward some options on how to work together to make the system fairer and fit for the future.

I have so far talked about two priority areas for policy action: domestic and across borders. Let me turn to my third and final priority area: global challenges. (c) Partnership to Address Global Challenges These are issues that no country can solve alone—and the list is long: demographics, migration, cyber-risks and, of course, the existential threat of climate change.

On that issue, I know that the Chamber sees great potential in public-private partnership as well as innovation and technology

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We at the IMF are also deeply engaged on this issue—taking a macroeconomic perspective, of course.

We have focused in particular on pricing carbon emissions and reducing energy subsidies—which amount to about $5.2 trillion per year, or 6.5 percent of global GDP.[vii] Both of these policy tools would go a long way to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Having just recently become a grandmother, I must say that the challenge of making the planet a better place for our children—and grand-children—has taken on a special resonance for me.

In my conversations with young people all over the world, I have also learned that climate change is one of the two challenges that they see as of greatest importance to their future.

The other one is corruption.

This, too, is an area where the IMF has stepped up its focus on the macroeconomic effects on our member nations.

The annual cost of bribery alone is over 1.5 trillion dollars[viii]—roughly two percent of global GDP. Money laundering and the financing of terrorism are other serious dimensions of the problem—where the IMF has been working with over a hundred countries.

Our latest research underlines the high fiscal cost of corruption, leading to a massive loss in public revenue and lower-quality public spending. This new analysis confirms what we had all long suspected: corruption lowers growth. It increases inequality. It feeds distrust.

Is there any hope in combatting corruption?

We think there is—and we do believe that the right policy responses can make a significant difference.

In a new study, we estimate that within a group of similar economies, less corruption is associated with higher tax revenues—in fact, a very significant difference of up to 4 percentage points of GDP between countries. [ix] Better governance is also associated with higher student test scores and more efficient spending on vital infrastructure: from roads, to schools, to hospitals.

This highlights the potentially huge benefit of curbing corruption—and not only fiscal benefit, but also the potential benefit to society at large.

There is clearly an international dimension to this. Transparency International, for example, recently updated its Corruption Perceptions Index[x]—where 100 means “very clean”. By that measure, two-thirds of all countries score below 50, indicating that they have serious problems in preventing corruption.

Certainly, countries must accept responsibility for what happens within their own borders. But corruption is an international plague. To fight it effectively requires international cooperation.

4. International Policy Cooperation and the IMF I know that the Chamber recognizes the value of cooperation. Ever since World War II, in country after country, in crisis after crisis, working together has served the world well.

The IMF has often been at the center of those efforts.

During the global financial crisis, the Fund was able to commit over $500 billion to help prevent another Great Depression. In the decade since, we supported economic programs in over 90 countries.

And our work continues. Consider the Fund’s advice to countries to help them open up their markets and encourage investment.

Or think about our recent support for critical country programs in Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan. Think about Ukraine. Or Argentina.

To do our job effectively, of course, we need to be sufficiently well-resourced into the future. For that, we rely on the support of our 189 member countries. This is another issue that I expect our Ministers and Governors will discuss at our Spring Meetings next week.

I am confident that the support from our membership remains strong.

5. Conclusion To conclude, I want to return to the inspirational nature of this magnificent building.

Inscribed on the walls of the original Chamber building was a quote from the great American statesman Daniel Webster. He said: “Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered.”

At this delicate moment for the global economy, let us work together to do something worthy to be remembered.

-Lagarde, IMF Managing Director, delivered the speech at the US Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC, last week

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BoI N500 Million Loan Excites Tractor Owners Stories by Ugo Aliogo The Tractor Owners Association of Nigeria (TOOAN) has expressed satisfaction over the N500 million loan provided by the Bank of Industry (BoI) for the purchase of 50 tractors by its members.

The initiative is expected to empower 20, 000 Nigerians.

The loan guaranteed by the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) was the initiative of the TOOAN. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Kajola Local Government, Oyo State, the president of the association, Yakubu Elesa, said that the project would enhance food sufficiency and growth of

the nation’s economy.

The TOOAN president commended the cooperation, loyalty and commitment of the members which assisted the association in breaking all strongholds of accessing the loan.

He appreciated past and present efforts of federal and some state governments, especially Oyo, Ogun and Kastina States, which extended loan facilities to his members.

The Project Director, Emmanuel Kolade, noted that used the opportunity to call on the government to improve its policy on agricultural lending procedure to enhance private sector driven economy, He noted that the effort would

be in tandem with the initiative of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari that, “government has no business in business,” because past of experience gave room for corruption.”

Performing the launch, the Oyo state Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Oyewole Oyewumi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Victor Atilola, lauded the organisational structure of TOOAN and their commitment to revolutionise agricultural mechanisation of the country.

He further said Oyo State Government has made provi-

sion for both land clearing and preparation equipment to be handed over to the association for effective management to assist farmers in the state.

Kolade, added that the new SONALIKA tractors would enhance mechanised agriculture, while lauding the banks especially African French Development which gave the guarantee to de-risk the loan.

“The prospect of this is that these 50 tractors will enhance the job creation of over 20,000 capacities. Each tractor is taking care of about 4,000 people. And multiplying that by 50 is a huge impact on our Nigerian economy.”

PATRONS’ INDUCTION

L-R: Past President, Nigerian-British Chambers of Commerce (NBCC), Arc. T.C. Awagu; President/Chairman of Council, Mr. Akinola Olawore; Patron, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye; Past Presidents, Mr. Akinola Akintunde and Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, during the induction ceremony of patrons into the chambers in Lagos…recently

FSD Partners GIZ, Graduates 295 Technicians The Field and Skills and Dreams Academy (FSD) has partnered GIZ Sky, a German initiative, to train and graduate 295 students in RAC, electrical, catering and fashion. The vocational programme which lasted for three months saw the students through training in electrical installations, refrigeration and air condition maintenance, fashion designing, bakery, confectioneries, food preparation and cocktail drinks.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Lagos recently, the GIZ Sky Advisor, Tobias Wolfgarten, said the project was focused on skills development for employment for the Nigeria youths.

He also noted that GIZ is

targeting construction and agriculture sectors respectively, adding that the target is to equip, “the youths with skills that would enable them to find gainful employment in the labour market.”

“We are targeting construction and agriculture sectors respectively. Our target is to equip the youths with skills that will enable them to find gainful employment in the labour market. The project cost is €20million which is about $28 million and we are targeting more than 50,000 youths over a time period of four years in Nigeria. We are working in different States,” he noted.

He explained that GIZ was focused on the entire value chain of construction, and agriculture,

noting that for construction, the focus is on plumbing, electrics, “and we also have training centre which offers interior designs.”

He added that in agriculture, the focus is on food production, processing and sales, stating that in Lagos the focus has been on construction because of the low agricultural activities.

In her remarks, the Executive Director, Field Skills and Dreams (FSD), Mrs. Omowale Ogunrinde, noted that FSD partnered with GIZ Sky to help unemployed youths with skills to take them to the next level of industry, jobs and skills.

Ogunrinde, added that 85 percent of the training was practical based and there were external examiners to examine the

students during the examination.

She also noted that for electrical installation, there were individuals from Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) which is the highest examination body for engineers in the country.

Continuing, Wolfgarten added: “We offer different course types; so there would be short courses for three months and longer courses which might take up to one year which might be a bit more profound and take more time to acquire more skills which is what we are working on with different institutions and implementing different types of trainings. Currently, we are in the process of developing partnerships.

Company Donates Relief Materials to Collapsed BuildingVictims Raheem Akingbolu The Nosak Group has donated food items and other relief materials to the victims of Ita-Faaji collapsed building and others from the demolished distressed buildings in Lagos Island.

The presentation was held at the Lagos State Resettlement Centre located at Igando.

The Group Executive Director, Corporate Service, Nosak Group, Mr. Osagie Ogunbor, said the donation was in line with the

company’s slogan, ‘touching lives everyday’ as well as in tandem with the corporate social responsibility policy of the company.

Ogunbor, who was represented by the Corporate Communications Manager of the Group, Mr. Kenneth Adejumoh, stated that the organisation would continue to support the government and the people through its CSR initiatives to reach out to various communities especially in their time of need.

Adejumoh, presenting the relief

items, on behalf of the Group, said the donation was to validate the philosophy of touching lives every day.

“We are here to demonstrate what we stand for and to show our support in your time of need.

The government alone cannot carry on the task of providing shelter, provision of foodstuff and other items for your daily upkeep, that is why we have come to contribute our quota and to encourage you to remain strong as things get better for every one of you again”.

Receiving the items on behalf of the victims, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Tiamiyu Adesina, appreciated Nosak Group for their care, saying the items presented by the company would go a long way to alleviate the predicament of the people. He used the opportunity to call on other corporate organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to do likewise in rendering support to communities and people in time of need.

Osinbajo: FG Restates Commitment to Niger Delta Devt Hamid Ayodeji Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo has revealed the commitment of the federal government to build a Niger Delta that is not defined by oil and gas, but other human capital resources.

Speaking at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the Nigeria Maritime University, Delta State recently, Osibanjo noted that the drive to achieve economic diversification was part of the development plan mapped out in the New Vision of the Niger Delta (NVND).

The Vice President who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr. Edobor Iyamu, revealed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government was serious about the activities in the oil rich region.

He also noted that as part of the commitment of the administration to drive economic growth, government was embarking on several infrastructural developments such as the flagship of the Ogoniland cleanup exercise in Rivers State.

Osibanjo added: “The administration is embarking on the construction of modular refineries, four of which are at varying levels of completion across the region, as well as the gas flare commercialisation programme aimed at seeing to the end of gas flaring in the Niger Delta.

“There is potential not only limited to oil and gas. Niger Delta will soon be defined not only by oil and gas but by human capital resources.

We have a vision for NMU to be known all over the world as a centre of Maritime excellence.”

In his remarks, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Dakuku Peterside, advocated for increased funding to facilitate infrastructural development for the school.

He also commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Maureen Etebu and the governing council of the University, for the facilities on the take-off campus in Kurutie, while calling for collaboration of all stakeholders to ensure the success of the institution.

Peterside said: “Work is going on at the permanent site in Okerenkoko. In addition, we are going to hold a number of engagements with the office of the vice president. All of us must work collaboratively to support the success of NMU considering the facilities they have on ground, we commend the Vice-Chancellor and council for they are doing a lot. Again we need to inject more funds if we want this university to stand and take off on a solid note.”

Finance Ministers Join Forces to Raise Climate Ambition At the just concluded World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings, Finance Ministers from more than 20 countries have launched a new coalition aimed at driving stronger collective action on climate change and its impacts.

The newly formed Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action endorsed a set of six common principles, known as the, “Helsinki Principles,” that promotes national climate action, especially through fiscal policy and the use of public finance.

According to a statement on the World Bank website, the Helsinki Principles were conceived by a group of government represented at a meeting led by Finland and Chile in Helsinki in February.

The statement noted that the principles were designed to support Finance Ministers to share best practices and experiences on macro, fiscal, and public financial management policies for low-carbon and climate-resilient growth.

The statement explained the coalition would help countries mobilise and align the finance needed to implement their national climate action plans; establish best practices such as climate budgeting and strategies for, green investment and procurement; and factor climate risks and vulnerabilities into members’ economic planning.

The Chief Executive Officer, World Bank, Kristalina Georgieva, noted that finance ministries have a crucial role to play in accelerating the global shift to a low-carbon, climate-resilient growth model.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019

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Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE Reducing Maternal Deaths Through Community Collaborations Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08152252325

With Nigeria contributing 19 per cent to the world’s maternal mortality index, and 58,000 women not having the opportunity to experience and share the joy of motherhood after childbirth yearly, the country is leaving on borrowed time. But a community-driven intervention by a consortium of health initiatives designed to be driven in Lagos, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Niger, Kebbi and Abuja, hopes to change the narrative.

Martins Ifijeh andAyodeji Ake write

According to the World Health Organisation, every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth with the ratio of 99 per cent of all maternal deaths occuring in developing countries, including Nigeria.

WHO reported that while the developing countries experience higher maternal mortality, cases of maternal deaths are common in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities. However, young adolescents face a higher risk of complications and death because of pregnancy than older women.

Between 2016 and 2030, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the global health body to reduce maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100, 000 live births, experts believe developing countries who takes the target seriously can achieve them.

In Nigeria, with the poor record of maternal deaths of about 60,000 annually and about 160 daily, it is believed that 56 per cent of mothers did not receive any postnatal care within six weeks of child birth because they refused to visit healthcare facility during pregnancy for quality care, while only 35 per cent of birth in Nigeria took place in health facilities.

According to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 report, Nigeria’s maternal mortality statics was 576 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

Move by Consortium Thus in a bid to reduce the high maternal mortality rate, a consortium of health initiatives; EpiAfric, Nigeria Health Watch, and Africare, moved for maternal mortality reduction, especially in the rural areas in Nigeria where more maternal deaths are recorded.

The consortium recently launched a ‘Giving Birth in Nigeria’ project in Lagos, designed to be driven in seven states of the country; Lagos, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Niger, Kebbi and Abuja, with the aim of developing and implementing novel approaches that will incorporate community in maternal death reporting and surveillance efforts.

During the first project launch in Lagos, the consortium in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health stormed rural communities in Epe local government for maternal education and death preventions to reduce mortality rate.

Power of Communities Speaking at the launch of ‘Giving Birth in Nigeria’ themed ‘ Catalysing Accountability for Maternal Deaths in Nigeria’, in Epe, Lagos, recently, Chief Executive Officer, EpicAfric, Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor noted that the initiative was being designed to penetrate rural communities in a bid to know the scores of women dying due to pregnancy and childbirth, and to preach prevention of maternal health issues or deaths.

He said: “This project is about ensuring accountability for maternal death. From the data, almost 60,000 women die every year in Nigeria, and about 160 everyday. We hope to find out we are still having deaths, and we believed the information gathered can be used in areas of advocacy and prevention.

“The project will be in seven states; Lagos, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Niger, Kebbi and Abuja. We chose Epe in Lagos because from the data we have, Epe records a lot of maternal death which is why working with the state ministry of health, we have agreed to come

Maternal mortality is preventable

down here to tackle the scourge,” he said.

The Director of Programmes, Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu explained that it has been discovered that just about 35 per cent of pregnant women visit the healthcare facility. While 65 per cent conceive in the community which is why the initiative was bringing to the fore the gospel of importance for every pregnant women should visit the healthcare facility.

She said: “This is a very important project

This project brings to the fore, an angle that showcases the role the communities in addressing the healthcare issue. The truth about this is that out of 10 women, only about four visit the health facility, that means the remaining women deliver within the community. The solution readily is with the community

we are bringing to the forefront because Nigeria is one of those countries many women are dying during child birth. We think it is preventable because 35 per cent of women give birth in hospital facilities and 65 per cent are giving birth in the communities.

What that means is that when a woman gives birth outside the health facility, we will have no record of what happened to her.

“What we are doing is that people in the community report when women die. We encourage them to take pregnant women to clinics so that they can get the necessary care. When they go through health facilities, they go through antenatal care, and then they are appropriately monitored. When such women give birth in health facilities, they have contacts with midwives who in turn then advises them on breastfeeding, immunisation, among others,’’ she said.

Providing Critical Assistance Primary Healthcare Coordinator, Epe Local Government Area, Dr. Nure Aiyeola applauded the initiative, saying it will be provide critical assistance in the reduction of maternal mortality.

He said: ‘‘We are talking about every attempt to reduce the very high maternal and child mortality in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. We are launching one of the projects that will help us in achieving that.

Epe LGA has been identified as one of the areas contributing to high maternal mortality figure in Lagos State, and hence the decision to choose it for the project.

“This project brings to the fore, an angle that showcases the role the communities in addressing the healthcare issue. The truth about this is that out of 10 women, only about four visit the health facility that means the remaining women deliver within the community. The solution readily is with the community,” he added.

Commitment from Lagos Govt The Surveillance and Response Program Coordinator, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Omoera, pledged the state’s commitment to support the initiative to, if not eradicate mortality rate, reduce it to the minimal level.

She said: “This is very important to us and we are supporting the processes. We have done a lot of work in the facilities.

This is very critical. Going into the communities to understand the numbers of women been lost will help in addressing the causes and contributing factors. When data and information are available, we can plan appropriately.

“We have done a lot of work with the general hospitals and primary healthcare centres. We know that maternal deaths are preventable and when we have information, itis Key. It will help us as a government and our partners to plan to ensure the right interventions are implemented within the community. When the communities are informed, they know where to go to during pregnancy. They will also know the dangerous signs to look out for.”

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019

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NEWS

FCT Launches N162B Strategic Health Development Plan Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration has launched its Strategic Health Development Plan II from 2018- 2022.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who was represented at the unveiling recently by the Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, Adamu Abubakar Bappah said it was estimated to cost about N162 billion over the next five years.

He said: “While FCTA will make statutory budgetary provisions available, other financing gaps will be addressed with funding by development partners, World Bank assisted programmes, private sector and out of pocket expenditure by end-users at the healthcare facilities.”

Bello expressed FCTA’s commitment to providing effective and affordable healthcare services in Abuja, citing the commencement of health service provision from the Karu and Zuba General Hospitals, construction of 13 primary healthcare clinics, provisions of 10 solar powered boreholes, as well as

upgrading and rehabilitation of 19 primary and secondary health facilities across the six FCT Area Councils.

“The FCT recorded 96.6 per cent coverage Yellow fever immunisation, where the FCT came first among the six implementing states for the November 2018 mass vaccination campaign, among others.

“The health sector is critical to Nigeria’s social and economic development with ample evidence linking productivity to quality of healthcare, while urging all stakeholders to use the framework and adequately harness the policy gaps and program interventions required to improve the performance of the health sector towards the delivery of quality, efficient and sustainable health care for all the residents of the FCT. “The plan was developed in line with extant national health policies and legislation, national development agenda: Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), Vision 20:20:20 and international declarations and goals to which Nigeria is a signatory,” he added.

Foundation Moves to Make Kidney Care Accessible, Affordable in Abia, Environs Emmanuel Ugwu, Umuahia The high cost of kidney care could be greatly reduced with universal health insurance and intervention by government and public-spirited persons and organisations, a kidney expert has said.

A Consultant Physician and kidney care expert, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu expressed this view in a chat with journalists at Umuahia, saying that concerted efforts were needed to make kidney care services accessible and affordable.

Okwuonu, who is the Medical Director of Beatitudes Mediplex and Dialysis Centre Umuahia noted that while the cost of dialysis is very high in Nigeria, it is cheaper in neighbouring countries with lesser resources due to government interventions.

According to him, while dialysis is provided for upwards of N25,000 in Nigeria, such services costs equivalent of N3,000 in Niger Republic, N5,000 in Cameroon and totally free of charge in Benin Republic.

“Each state in Nigeria can formulate policies to take care of patients with kidney problems, offering them free dialysis and other health supports,” he said.

The kidney care expert stated that the present situation where only six sessions of dialysis is provided for in health insurance is grossly inadequate because “dialysis is like starting a journey that has no end but can only be ended with kidney

transplant.”

Okwuonu explained that his medical facility was set up specifically to make kidney care services readily available and affordable in Abia and neighbouring states.

He said that before now there were only three kidney care centres in Abia, two of which are government owned while the other is a missionary health facility.

But by setting up the Beatitudes Dialysis and Kidney Centre, Dr Okwuonu said that “flexible care” would be made available to patients because “our aim is to be a leading private centre for kidney disease”.

He said that he was very much saddened by the harrowing experiences of kidney patients in their quest for medical care, hence a branch of Beatitudes Dialysis and Kidney Centre was inaugurated at Umungasi Aba on Saturday April 13, 2019.

“A lot of patients are coming to Umuahia from Aba and Ukwa areas and they were facing transport problems,” he said, adding that last year two patients died on the way to access dialysis care at the capital city.

Okwuonu said that it was to avert such avoidable deaths of kidney patients that he went into collaboration with St Paul Hospital Umungasi Aba and set up a kidney care facility annex.

1.3m Nigerians Get Trachoma Vaccination, Says Adewole

r4BZT DBTFT EFDSFBTF CZ NJMMJPO JO GJWF ZFBST Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Minister of Health, Prof.

Isacc Adewole has revealed that at least 1.3 million Nigerians have been vaccinated with trachoma vaccine, even as the figure has decreased from 22 million to 13 million in five years.

Trachoma is an eye condition which leads to blindness and is caused by dirty water, lack of sanitation and hygiene and is one of the non-communicable disease in sub Saharan Africa.

Adewole made this disclosure at the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in Abuja recently, themed “Eliminating Trachoma

in Nigeria”.

Organised by Sight Savers, a non-governmental organisation, the programme which started in 2014 has recorded huge successes which includes the mapping of some states like Yobe and Jigawa, where the disease has been worrisome.

The minister who was represented by the Director, Health Research, Planning and Statistics, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, said water, sanitation and hygiene strategies have been promoted, while emphasising that eradicating the disease or bringing it to the barest minimum is achievable even as the programme full cycle

ends by 2020.

He said: “Nigeria has 40 per cent burden of non-tropical diseases and several measures have been put in place to checkmate this. This includes multi-sectoral approach and every eligible person is expected to have access to healthcare facilities.

“Over 1.3 million people have been reached with trachoma vaccines. Endemic local government areas have been reached and supported with mass enlightenment.

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) strategies have been promoted and even though the programme is reaching full cycle in 2020, eradicating trachoma

is achievable.

“Close to 22 million were at risk of contracting trachoma.

Now the figure has reduced to 13 million which is a huge success.

Mapping has been done in 15 local governments in Jigawa and in all the local government areas in Yobe. Already, five million have been treated.”

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Dr. Astrid Bonfield, said the foundation has provided more than 5.2 million vital anti biotic treatments to stop trachoma from spreading and has provided 9,700 pain relieving and sight saving surgeries.

L-R; Senior Program officer, Results for Development, Felix Obi; General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Peju Adenusi; Director-General, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Ben Akabueze and Senior Health Economist, World Bank, Ayodeji Gafar Ajiboye during the 4th Annual Health Financing Forum in Washington D.C, USA recently Abiodun Ajala

African Foundries Staff Donates to Lagos State Blood Bank Jonathan Eze A leading steel manufacturing company in Nigeria, African Foundries Limited Ogijo, Ogun State, has mobilised 210 of its staff to give blood to Lagos Blood Bank through the State’s Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC).

The company’s spokesperson, Mr. Satyendra Singh, told THISDAY that its blood donation camp has lasted two years and with three attempts.

“First, it was at the African Steel Mills Ltd, Ikorodu, Lagos State and then at our Agbara Units, and today, we had a very big turnout of 210 donors across four manufacturing units.”

He further attributed the

massive turnout of the staff and management in support of the exercise to the sensitisation classes which reminded them that there is no harm in donating blood.

He said: “Some people have misnomer about giving blood,but it is very safe and to some extent, it is good for your health if you donate blood to save lives. “That message went across and now you see the enthusiasm- people are very happy to donate blood; we are trying to make it a very big event and we are trying to help Rotary Club of Lagos Island (RCLI) District 9110, and Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee of the Ministry of Health, to have enough blood

in the blood bank because it is very important to save lives in emergency cases.”

The senior management team were also not left out as they participated and were supportive, which in turn motivated other personnel.

Fielding questions on blood safety, he said: “After volunteers donate blood, there is a screening process where the blood quality is checked, the health of the donor is checked, and the person must not be on any medication and so, if you are screened and you don’t qualify, you can’t donate blood.

“Also, all syringes used are for single use and there is no concern of any kind

about the safety in the blood donation process.”

On sustainability, he said it would be a regular exercise and as part of its corporate social responsibility, it would be sustained.”

In the same vein, President, Rotary Club of Lagos Island, Rajkumar Gulati, called on other private organisations in the country to emulate African Foundries Limited, by motivating their staff to give blood to save lives.

“There is shortage of blood in this country and Rotary feels we should help this society and so we discuss with our partners and experts to find sustainable solution,” he said.

Redeemer University Combats Diseases through Environmental Services Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Vice Chancellor, Redeemer University Ede, Osun State, Professor Anthony Akinlo, has stated that the institution has been able to get rid of diseases through proper handling and cleanliness of its environment.

Akinlo, who spoke through the Registrar of the Institution, Mr Olukayode Akindele at the 4th National Conference on Environment and Health organised

by the Living Science Foundation Ile-ife, also made it clear that the university had been brought to limelight through environmental cleanliness.

He said issues such as Ebola virus, Lassa fever and other environmental problems had become a thing of the past in the institution.

The Chairman of the conference, Prof. Ademola Omisakin posited that the forum would provide strategic

needs to address the issues of environmental problems.

He said: “Taking good care of our environment will assist in the developmental efforts as well as impacting positively in human life.”

The kenote speaker, Dr. Gafar Alawode, who spoke on Environmental Impact of Implementation of Basic Health Care Provisions Fund in Nigeria opined that the nation’s health system was

on the weak level.

“All health reform system has failed to address the needed healthcare delivery in the country. Bad health policies have impacted negatively on the nation’s healthsector, “ he said.

The Executive Secretary, Osun State Health Insurance Scheme Dr. Niyi Ogini said Osun health insurance scheme would take its rightful place for all to enjoy at the soonest time.

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HEALTH

Bode: With Comprehensive Expansion, LUTH will No Longer Refer Patients

The Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Chris Bode recently got the nod of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term as chief executive of Nigeria’s busiest tertiary health facility. He spoke with journalists including Martins Ifijeh on his experience in the past four years and his determination to improve the lot of the 57-year old institution Challenges of the Past When I came on board four years ago, the system was suffering. The greatest challenge was lack of confidence in the system, both among the workers and the people who come here. Our various clients stopped believing in us. Now, with the co-operation and collaboration of others, that narrative has changed. It is humbling to know that the same environment that was so hostile has gradually embraced change. We had stormy relationships, stormy reception from the trainees, workers group, but I guess through appealing to their good side and showing by example from the leadership of the institution in the past four years, the situation has improved appreciably.

We have been able to change the mindset so that all workers at LUTH now appreciate what we were established to do - render services to people. That is what matters; any other thing will be an excuse. People are not interested in that, no matter what you do, if you do it very well, people will come to you and if you don’t, they would go elsewhere. So we don’t want them to go elsewhere for many reasons because even our own livelihood depends on it and the mandate given to us would be a failed mandate if we don’t fulfil it.

On Re-positioning the Hospital There has been enormous support in the last four years from top management team, the nurses, the head of nurses and all heads of department; they have been marvellous as they embraced the experiment.

The change we tried to implement has yielded very good results, with all modesty.

We must give thanks to the Federal Ministry of Health, the minister and his team. They have really risen to the challenge, done very well for us and also the workers in LUTH have been marvellous. I must say that our people know good things when they see it. I think that is what has been driving us, when you do something good and people see it, they comment. But we know that we need to do more.

The entire workforce, all are eager to reflect the new order. The changes are manifest. For instance, our dental school that was discredited last year because we didn’t have dented chairs has now been re-certified. Through joint effort between the university, alumni and management, we have been able to put LUTH back on the path to its former glory. Good things are happening, that’s my message and we must do more. The greatest enemy of progress is to be complacent, there is no resting here. We must commend the management board led by Alhaji Isa Sali Bello and his team for astutely leading the hospital at this time; we have been able to accomplish a lot.

Noticeable Changes Of great importance has been that there is calm in the system now. I recall there was a year we didn’t work for eight months; our salaries were paid by government. At another time, we went on strike for five months. All that had to stop. The healthcare sector cannot afford such disruption. So we had to start whittling that down with support from members of the public, our staff and even government. With time, government started listening to what the agitations were and government was fulfilling them, promising and fulfilling; coupled with delivering on low hanging, deliverables, intermediate term and long term plans. All these have now started bearing fruitful results and I like to add that it has really brought LUTH to the fore again.

Bode

A lot has been done during the past four years. We now have reliable power supply through our gas fired electricity, we now have a very good blood bank, water supply; our wards are beginning to be rehabilitated and other facilities as well including the acute stroke care centre. We are repositioning our radiology department. We are putting up a new structure for the care of over 8,000 HIV patients and our advanced facility centre has been up and running and is doing very well. Workers are going through further training and we have crowned it with the $ 11 million NSIA-LUTH cancer centre which President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned in February.

Looking Ahead A lot more needs to be done, looking ahead. The reward for hard work is more work. Because our facilities are aged, they have been there for 57 years now, we need to rehabilitate, complete rehabilitation of our wards, our out-patients department and many other structures. The out-patients facility is inadequate; we want to build an extension so that patients can be seen more promptly rather than being given long appointments. We are going to do the same thing for our operation theatre facilities and other facilities that need to be upgraded and expanded.

Recently, we had the Lions Club International come for laying of the blocks for the establishment of dialysis centre. We

are appealing to all like-minded bodies to assist LUTH. Late Chief Isaac Olusola Dada, who was the district governor of the club, promised to build a renal dialysis centre for us before he passed away suddenly. It is going to cost more than N200 million.

It will have 36 dialysis machines and will be one of the largest in the country for modern renal dialysis. The Lions Club and the family of Chief Dada will build and furnish it on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis, experts in dialysis, institutions that supply equipment and consumables can just come and use it, we will make the services affordable to ensure that Nigerians come here rather than go abroad.

We are still going cap in hand. Already, we have immense support from the Sovereign Wealth Fund; they have promised to sustain the cancer centre so it will be a modern cancer centre that would render services and give meaningful returns to investors. It will serve as a beacon for public-private collaboration in healthcare delivery. If they don’t see us as valuable, they won’t bring their money to tie down.

We are planning a hospital wide information management system to reduce the paper work, improve efficiency and reduce the stress faced by patients. Another plan is to expand operation theatres, intensive care unit and eye treatment unit. The ultimate goal is to make LUTH a comprehensive and reliable hospital in one structure so that we don’t refer any patient. We want to achieve 100 per cent

proficiency. If LUTH refers somebody to any other place, it’s like telling them to go and die because we ought to have everything.

Even if our accident and emergency ward is full, I would rather you move patients straight to the ward and begin emergency care at the ward rather than tell them there’s no bed. We would do all what we can to increase bed space. Even while doing this we must appeal to all Nigerians, services in LUTH are highly subsidised between 30 and 80 per cent. Depending on the services, for an average operation you may pay a million naira outside, here you might pay just N200,000.

Appeal for More Support We are a government institution, but we must agree that services are not free. We need to review the concept of healthcare financing so that there will be universal coverage.

There should be a safety net provided by the national institutional scheme for those who may easily fall through the cracks. The elderly, children, pregnant women and accident victims should be taken care of under a solid health insurance scheme.

Public health institutions must continue to treat patients whether they are able to pay or not, and we cannot reject anybody brought as an emergency. We found out that such obligations are a big drain on the finance of tertiary institutions, not only at LUTH, it happens everywhere. Maybe because this is a large hospital, we feel it a lot.

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NEWS

Alcohol Consumption, Smoking, Obesity Causes Unexplainable Infertility, Experts Say Martins Ifijeh Fertility experts have revealed that alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity and use of body-sizing drugs cause unexplainable infertility in men, while blockage of tubes as a result of infections at teen age causes infertility in women.

Addressing newsmen during the facility tour of Androcare

Fertility Centre (AFC) in Lagos recently, the Clinic Operating Officer, Dr. Charles Kolade noted that even though a man’s test shows he is fertile, a further test could show the sperms are not viable enough for reproduction.

He said: “For men, the fact that the sperm count is normal doesn’t mean the genetics of the sperm is normal. So there is a more advance test that we

do that will help us know how well the sperms are working.

“What causes these things could be genetic, alcohol, obesity, drugs (for body sizing), smoking, and all these things have their effects, and it will translate to infertility. So that’s part of the things we do here to dig deep on causes of infertility.”

Kolade further explained that mere taking of drugs

when infections are observed does not totally take away the infection.

“Some people take drugs when they sense they have infections but that’s not it.

One may feel better but the infection continues doing it work unaware, and it won’t occur until over 15 to 20 years.

And that’s why some people exclaim they got a lady pregnant

sometimes ago but that was when the infection was growing and harmless,” he added.

He also stated that there was nothing called toilet infection, adding that it remains only as slang. The Clinical Director, Androcare Fertility Centre, Dr. Adeleke Daramola said there were two common causes of infertility; blockage of the tubes in women and low sperm count

in men, which annually is on it increase. Daramola said: “If the young ladies can take care of such things early enough, infertility will be prevented but majority are not aware.”

To reduce incidents of infertility, Daramola urged young females to observe personal hygiene and ensure they treat any form of infection while young before it escalate.

Osun Health Workers Hail Oyetola for Reviving Sector Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The health practitioners in Osun State, while acknowledging the commitment of the government to revitalising hospitals across the state, have commended Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, for reviving the health sector.

The health workers under the aegis of Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo branch, gave the commendation during a visit to the governor in his office recently.

Chairman of the association, Dr. Rasak Akindele, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, applauded the administration of Oyetola for prioritising the welfare of health workers.

He was accompanied by the Secretary of the association, Dr Adeniyi Fasanu; the Treasurer, Dr Olufemi Ala; and the immediate past Chairman, Prof.

Segun Adebomi, among others The chairman, who described Oyetola as a lover of health practitioners, commended the government for restoring and sustaining the payment of full salaries to workers.

He added: “You have been a listening father whose passion for human and capital development cannot be overemphasised. We have seen your zeal and commitment tailored to ensure an improved standard of living for all workers particularly health practitioners.

“We are proud to have you as our governor. Your administration has started on a good footing and we are proud to identify with myriads of achievements recorded by your government so far.

He however appealed to the governor to support LAUTECH so as to actualise its dream of rendering quality health services to the people. In his response, Oyetola commended the leadership of the association for maintaining the tempo of quality healthcare delivery. He also sought for cordial relationship between the government and the association as his administration was looking forward to a strike-free tenure.

“I commend you for your activities at raising the bar of quality healthcare service in the state, particularly on your commitment to maintaining the standard which LAUTECH Teaching Hospital is known for.

120m Nigerians Have No Access toToilets, Says Expert Hammed Shittu in Ilorin A Public Health Expert and Executive Director, Springs Health Initiative, Mr. James Bamigbose said that over 120millions Nigerians have no access to toilets, but rather defecate in open places in the country.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin recently on the state of sanitation in the country, Bamigbose said such development has brought about serious and complicated health hazards to the social well being of the populace.

According to him, “it is disheartening that Nigerians especially those in the rural communities have no place to excrete and this has affected the environment.

“The ugly development has brought about a situation where by when rain falls, their excreta find their ways into rivers which the residents still fetch and use for daily consumption.

“This has led many people to be infected with various kinds

of diseases especially in the rural towns and villages and thereby constituting a serious health hazards to their growth.

“This ugly development is no more unacceptable in this modern era, hence we are pleading for partnership and financial aids to address this problems and save the avoidable but precious lives that we lose.”

Bamigboye who spoke on the sidelines of the recent celebration of General Assembly on Water Sanitation and Hygiene in collaboration with UN Water International World Water Day, also called for partnership from stakeholders to assist to urgently address the problems of acute shortage of water consumption to residents.

He noted that according to recent reports and data, near or absence of water for daily consumption to residents has caused untimely and avoidable deaths to many innocent Nigerians due to no fault of theirs; a development he described as no longer unacceptable.

INVESTING IN HUMAN CAPITAL

L-R;Chairman,SenateCommitteeonHealth,Dr.LanreTejuoso;Manager,KnowledgeandProgram,ActionSecretariat,SabinaRogersandSeniorAssociate, Multilaterd Engagement, Action Secretariat, Xochitt Sanchez during a Parliamentarian meeting for investing in Human Capital at the IMF/World Bank SpringMeetinginWashingtonDC,USA..,recently ABIODUNAJALA

Nigeria Records 9% Increase in Drug Abuse Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Reports from the National Bureau of Statistics have indicated that despite the policy against the misuse and administration of drugs, Nigeria has recorded over nine per cent increase in the abuse of drugs from 5.6 per cent in 2006 to 15 per cent, which reveals a population of 14.3 million people.

President of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the America’s (ANPA) Charmaine Emelife, who disclosed this in a statement made available to THISDAY, said the rising misuse of drugs in Nigeria for recreational purposes has continued to increase the health risks of Nigerians.

He said to stem the tide through creating more awareness, ANPA and the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the America’s (NAPPSA) are poised to equip the Nigerian healthcare professionals which includes physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, principal investigators, study coordinators and biomedical researchers with the knowledge, skills and tools for combating the challenges of the opioid addiction epidemic.

He said:” A recent survey led by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Center for Research and Information on Substance Abuse, showed that over the past year alone, nearly 15 per

cent of the adult population in Nigeria (around 14.3 million people) reported a “considerable level” of use of psychoactive drug substances.

“This rate is considerably much higher than the 2016 global average of 5.6 per cent among adults. The most common opioid implicated in this crisis is tramadol and codeine-based syrup. Tramadol and codeine exhibits an effect profile similar to that of other opioid agonists. They bind to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, disrupting pain signals.

“They also activate the reward areas of the brain by releasing the hormone dopamine, creating a feeling of euphoria or a ‘high’ when the

drug is taken at higher doses.

This can lead to hallucinations, delusions, schizophrenia and organ failure.

“In addition to tramadol and codeine, other potent mixtures of several drugs with high risk of fatal overdoses have been reported.

Quartz Africa, an online based economic journal, reports the common use of “gutter water,” a widely consumed cocktail mix of codeine, tramadol, rohypnol, cannabis and water or juice.

“Some young adults are also turning to crude concoctions as alternatives, including smoking lizard parts and dung as well as sniffing glue, petrol, sewage and urine as inhalants.”

Recruitment of More FemaleTeachers Will Reduce Infant, Maternal Mortality, Says UNICEF Kuni Tyessi in Abuja With Nigeria’s global position in the persistent occurrence of infant-maternal mortality and Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that the recruitment of more female teachers into basic education has been adjudged to be one of the effective means of curbing the menace.

UNICEF opined that with the presence of female teachers in schools, the students, especially the females who have

attained the age of puberty, will be able to open up to their female teachers about their sexuality, thereby encouraging massive enrolment of females into school.

UNICEF resource person, Dr. Noel Ihebuzor who revealed this in Abuja, during a two-day stakeholders meeting, said some of the teenagers who are already sexually active need to be helped to manage the situation.

He lamented that though poverty is known to wear a rural face, the Primary

Healthcare Centres that are in the custody of state governments have not been managed properly, thereby affecting the influx of female teachers to the rural areas when they have been posted there.

Adding that female teachers serve as role model and safety factor, he however commending some states in the north, particularly Katsina due to its policy on 40 per cent minimum of female recruitment into the civil service.

Highlighting the unfortu-

nate incidence of teenagers being impregnated by teachers especially in a state like Bayelsa, Ihebuzor said there is hope for Nigeria in addressing several ailments with the enlightenment of girls through the female teachers as well as zero tolerance for irresponsible behaviours.

He said: “Poverty is believed to wear a rural face. The Primary Healthcare Centres given to states to manage have been poorly managed by the managers, thereby affecting the influx of female teachers in rural areas.”

38

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Banks Partner Mojec on Prepaid Meters Nume Ekeghe Mojec Meter Assets Management Company, a subsidiary of Mojec International Limited, has announced a partnership with some banks to provide retail financing for the rollout of prepaid meters to its customers within the coverage area of its partner distribution companies (DISCOs) across the country.

The banks included Keystone Bank, Wema Bank, Unity Bank, Zenith Bank, Polaris Bank, First Bank, Sterling Bank and First Option Microfinance Bank.

A statement explained that the partnership was a major step ahead of the commencement of the much-anticipated Meter Asset Providers (MAP) scheme. It also revealed that the partnership and Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony took place in Lagos.

MAP is a scheme approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) through a regulation meant for the provision, supply, installation and maintenance of end-user meters by Meter Asset Providers with a view to fast-tracking a closure of the metering gap and end estimated billing in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mojec International Limited, Ms. Chantelle Abdul, was quoted to have disclosed that the company was determined to bridge the metering gap in

the power sector by ensuring provision of top-quality electricity meters to consumers in Nigeria. “Now that MAP is here, Mojec is once again blazing the trail in the provision of high-end quality pre-paid meters to consumers, helping to reduce the financial burden estimated electricity billing is putting on electricity consumers,� Abdul said, noting that Mojec as a company has invested a lot of resources, positioning it as best suited to meet the metering needs of all consumers within the coverage of its partner DISCOs. She further explained that Mojec would be partnering with eight DISCOs including, Ikeja Electric, Eko DISCO, Abuja DISCO, Kano DISCO, Enugu DISCO, Jos DISCO, Ibadan DISCO and Kaduna DISCO covering about 20 states of the federation.

In his remarks after the MoU signing, the Acting Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Abubakar Danlami Sule, represented by Mr. Yemi Odusanya, Executive Director, Corporate Bank & South Directorate shared the bank’s driving motivation for the partnership. “The importance of energy in the growth of businesses and for the livelihood of homes in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised. “Energy cost is by all standards the major cost line in most homes and businesses. The scheme is set to eradicate the unnecessary

prevalence of estimated billing which deprived the national economy of funds which otherwise could be deployed into other productive use.�

On its part, Wema Bank Plc in a statement noted that the partnership was a step towards the commencement of the MAP scheme approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). “Working with Mojec, the bank will help speed up the full-scale implementation of the MAP Scheme which allows all consumers easy and direct access to meter assets. The end goal of the scheme is to ensure the provision of top quality electricity meters to consumers in Nigeria. “The MAP project will focus on both individual and corporate customers with the first phase targeted at salaried and selfemployed individuals as well as corporate customers. For individual accounts, metering finance charges will run for a maximum tenor of six months, and a maximum period of 12 months for corporate customers. “The MoU signing between Wema Bank and Mojec is proof of the bank’s commitment to continually provide simple and easy retail financing for Nigerians.

Through the partnership, the bank hopes to help meet the demands of equitable electricity metering in the country while fulfilling its goal of applying innovative solutions to societal challenges.

Xpress Payments MD Seeks Improvement in Customer Experience The Managing Director of Xpress Payments, Mr. Oluwadare Owolabi, has suggested ways of democratising financial services in Nigeria.

He spoke at the African Fintech Summit 2019, held in Washington recently, where an array of technological and business experts were also present.

The second edition of The African Fintech Summit (AFTS) saw business experts engaging in riveting and insightful discourse on Financial Inclusion and the future of financial technology in Africa. Owolabi, who spoke on the theme; ’Democratisation of Financial Services’, stated that there was a need to enhance customer experience in the

financial sector.

He called for, “fundamental and wholesale changes in the financial service experiences of users and customers in Africa.�

A statement quoted him to have pointed out that change would, “promote the existence of financial inclusion programs as well as increase accessibility to credits and finances.�

On how to enable democratisation of finance in Nigeria, Owolabi outlined the need for technological orientation, security and trust, digitisation as well as native innovations that are relatable to customers.

Other key personalities at the summit included the chairman of Zenith Bank Plc,

Jim Ovia, who gave the opening address; Managing Director for Africa at OPIC, Worku Gachou; Co-Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola; CEO of Venture Garden Group, Bunmi Akinyemiju, among others. “AFTS is a global initiative founded on the idea that Fintech can unleash unprecedented economic firepower in Africa and encourages collaboration between ecosystem stakeholders,� organisers of the programme said. The event, which had its maiden edition in Lagos last year, was attended by tech and finance leaders, policy makers and investors from across Africa and the United States.

NAPTIP, UK Aid Launch‘Not For Sale’Initiative The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with UK Aid have officially launched an initiative aimed at reducing human trafficking in Edo and Delta states.

The event had the Director General of NAPTIP Dame Julie Okah-Donli and the Deputy Head of Office, Department for International Development (DFID) Nigeria, John Primrose, who represented the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Cationa Laing, in attendance.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Attorney General & Justice Minister for Edo State, Yinka Omorogbe, alongside other dignitaries were at the event, which took place in Abuja.

A statement explained that

the initiative was aimed at inspiring and empowering young women in Edo and Delta states to find success on their own terms without paying the terrible price paid by so many others, who look for success abroad. “Approximately 80 per cent of Nigerian women who take the dangerous journey overseas end up being trafficked and forced into prostitution. “The ‘Not For Sale’ initiative thus provides these women with the support services that enables them to seek out training and opportunities in their home land Nigeria,� it added.

Okah-Donli expressed great delight at, “the collaborative efforts of NAPTIP and UK Aid in driving positive conversations through the Not for Sale campaign. “An initiative which is mak-

ing immeasurable impact in the fight against modern slavery issues and its affect on vulnerable persons, especially young women, in the country.�

Dame Okah-Donli added: “The Not for sale campaign provides a visible platform for stakeholders within the various states and communities to forge common ground in enlightening vulnerable young women in our society on the potential dangers of buying into false promises of a better life abroad, which range from involuntary servitude to rape, forced marriages and has cost many women their lives.�

She then used the medium to urge the various state governments in Nigeria to “empower women in rural areas via effective skill acquisition programs which will ensure they earn good living and in turn, impact their communities positively.�

L-R: Directorate Head, Lagos Directorate, Polaris Bank, Segun Opeke; MD, Mojec International, Ms. Chantelle Abdul; Executive Director, Abuja/Northern Region, Polaris, Abdullahi Mohammed; Chairperson Mojec International, Mrs Mojisola Abdul and Executive Director, Technology & Services, Polaris Bank, Innocent Ike, at the MoU signing ceremony between some banks and Mojec in Lagos‌ recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,093,619.43

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ÍŻÍ´ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $70.11 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $70.21 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

MARKET NEWS

GTBank Posts N50 Billion Profit afterTax inThree Months Goddy Egene Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc has recorded a profit before tax (PBT) of N56.984 billion for the first quarter (Q1) March 31, 2019, showing an increase of 8.3 per cent, compared with the N52.624 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2018.

Profit after tax (PAT) rose 10.37 per cent N44.67 billion in 2018 to N49.302 billion in 2019.

Customers’ deposits also rose

by 6.0 per cent to N2.41 trillion in March 2019 from N2.274trillion in December 2018, whilst the bank’s loan book grew by 1.6 per cent from N1.262trillion as at December 2018 toN1.282trillion in March 2019. The bank’s balance sheet remained strong as it closed the quarter with total assets of N3.556 trillion and shareholders’ funds of N627.2 billion. In terms of assets quality, non-performing loan (NPL) ratio and Cost of Risk closed 7.03 per cent and 0.05 per

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

cent in March 2019 from 7.30 per cent and 0.34 per cent in December 2018 respectively. In addition, coverage for NPL stood at 90.12 per cent Commenting on the results, the Managing Director/CEO of GTBank Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, said: “Going into 2019, we knew that it would be a challenging year, but our strategy and unwavering focus on delivering value for our customers and shareholders continues to underpin our ability

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

to consistently deliver solid results despite changing market variables.

We carried on the momentum of the previous year, posting strong growth in earnings, effectively managing costs and leveraging our digital-first customer-centric strategy to deliver world-class services that are simple, cheap and easily accessible.”

He added that: “Whilst ensuring the long-term growth of our business is the greatest value that we can create for our communi-

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

ties, we are also leveraging our resources, expertise and network to help people thrive. That’s why, from April 28 to May 1, 2019, we are organizing the biggest food and drink festival in Africa to give small businesses in the food industry the platform, network and access to the markets that they need to grow.” The bank explained that it had continued to be best in class in terms of profitability, efficiency and capital among peers and other financial

O F

institutions in Nigeria. “This is evidenced by its earnings per share of N1.74, Return on Equity (ROAE) of 32.79 per cent, Cost to Income Ratio of 38.64 per cent and Capital Adequacy of 22.25 per cent. These metrics are a testament to the efficient management of the Bank. In recognition of the bank’s bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service delivery and innovation, GTBank has been a recipient of numerous awards over the years.

1 7 / 0 4 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019

41

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Zenith Bank Records N158bn Gross Earnings, N57bn Profit in Q1 Zenith Bank Plc has announced gross earnings of N158.1 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019, down seven per cent from N169.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2018.

However, net interest income rose 23 per cent from N69.997 billion to N86.137 billion in 2019. The bank reduced its operating expenses by four

per cent from N61.701 billion to N59.404 billion.

Profit before tax (PBT) of N57.293 billion was recorded in 2019, up by six per cent from N54 billion achieved in the corresponding period in 2018. Profit after tax rose seven per cent to N50.2 billion, compared with N47.79 billion in 2018.

According to bank, the

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

growth in net interest income and operating income by 23 per cent and one per cent respectively mitigated the decline in gross earnings.

It noted that the effective management of cost-to-income ratio, cost of funds and cost of risk offset top-line declines to deliver an enhanced operating income in the period.

“Our risk and asset quality

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 16Apr-2019, unless otherwise stated

continues to improve as cost of risk dropped significantly by 52 per cent from 0.9 per cent in the prior year to 0.4 per cent for the period. This was achieved as impairment charges declined by 54 per cent(N2.5billion year on year reduction). Our cost of funds also improved, declining by 25 per cent from four per cent Q1 2018 to three per cent Q1

2019. This was supported by a 22 per cent decrease in interest expense of N10billion over the same period, affirming the Group’s robust treasury and liquidity management. Our prudent cost management led to a five per cent decline in our cost-to-income ratio by five per cent from 53.3 per cent in 2018 to 50.9 per cent in the period with an absolute

reduction in operating expenses

by N2.3 billion year-on-year,” the bank explained.

It added that its retail franchise continues to increase as retail deposits grew by N80 billion between December 2018 and March 2019 representing a nine per cent growth notwithstanding the fact that total customer deposits dropped marginally by three per cent.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return NAV: is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.86 0.86 1.87% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 12.01% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.46% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 3.00% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 101.21 101.92 0.02% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.76% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.75% Paramount Equity Fund 12.13 12.23 2.70% Women's Investment Fund 106.51 107.06 2.80% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.48% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.79 99.23 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 99.34 100.05 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.94% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.83 0.83 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.18 1.18 5.05% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,245.88 1,246.74 5.09% FBN Heritage Fund 145.35 146.38 1.35% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.36% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 118.06 118.51 3.66% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 117.96 118.42 3.83% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.59 148.70 -2.27% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.16 1.18 -4.66% Legacy Debt Fund 3.36 3.36 3.51% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 1.37% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.60% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 107.36 107.75 -0.70% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.55% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.14 2.16 -0.38% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.16% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 125.30 125.52 0.31%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.19 1.76% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,084.16 1,084.16 3.93% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.26 1.28 2.80% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.46 11.51 2.95% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.26% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 120.88 121.43 0.12% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.07% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,373.07 2,386.27 2.54% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 198.45 198.45 4.37% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 0.53% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 256.08 256.12 3.61% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 164.36 166.15 0.73% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.79% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,411.24 8,509.05 -0.93% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.13 1.13 1.80% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.21 1.19 0.07% United Capital Bond Fund 1.66 1.66 4.32% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.69 -4.38% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.26% United Capital Eurobond Fund 109.82 109.82 2.39% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.11 1.11 1.54% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.03 11.19 3.57% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.24 12.38 1.94% Zenith Income Fund 21.55 21.55 11.85% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.70%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 120.02 52.21

-44.85% 1.95% 0.91%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.16 106.78 85.76

10.26 109.06 87.34

-3.72% -8.97% -3.29%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.82 6.66 13.95 11.48 153.66

3.86 6.74 14.05 11.68 155.66

-4.42% -12.49% -6.68% -7.07% 7.00%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.24

17.42%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

42

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2019

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

43

44

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2019

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͶ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

45

THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

46

INTERNA TIONAL

Peru’s Ex-president, Garcia Kills Himself to Avoid Arrest Peru’s former President, Alan Garcia, died in a hospital in Lima on Wednesday after shooting himself as police arrived at his house to arrest him in connection with a bribery probe, authorities said.

Garcia, who had repeatedly denied wrongdoing, was 69.

President Martin Vizcarra said on Twitter that he was “consternated” by Garcia’s death, and sent his condolences to his family members.

Garcia shot himself in the head after police arrived at his home to arrest him in connection with a bribery investigation, the interior ministry said.

“Garcia, 69, underwent emergency surgery at the Casimiro Ulloa hospital and suffered three cardiac arrests,’’ Health Minister Zulema Tomas said in broadcast comments.

Garcia was one of nine people a judge ordered to be arrested in connection with an investigation into bribes distributed by Odebrecht, the Brazilian construction company.

Local TV channel America reported Garcia was in a coma and showed images of his son, supporters and lawmakers arriving at the hospital, where police in riot gear stood by.

A skilled orator who led Peru’s once-powerful Apra party for decades, Garcia

governed as a nationalist from 1985 to 1990 before remaking himself as a free-market proponent and winning another five-year term in 2006.

He had denied wrongdoing involving Odebrecht and blamed his legal troubles on political persecution.

“Others might sell out, not me,” Garcia said in broadcast comments on Tuesday, repeating a phrase he has used frequently as his political foes became ensnared in the Odebrecht investigation.

Interior Minister Carlos Moran said at a news conference that Garcia had told police he needed to call his attorney after they arrived at his home in Lima to arrest him.

“He entered his room and closed the door behind him.

“Within a few minutes, a shot from a firearm was heard, and police forcibly entered the room and found Mr. Garcia sitting with a wound in his head,” Moran said.

In 2018, Garcia asked Uruguay for political asylum after he was banned from leaving the country to keep him from fleeing or obstructing the investigation, while Uruguay rejected the request.

Garcia would have been the third former president in Peru to have been jailed in the Odebrecht case.

Al-Bashir Moved to Khartoum’s Kobar Prison We willing to offer asylum to former president, says Uganda Sudan’s deposed president, Omar al-Bashir, was moved to Kobar prison in the capital Khartoum late on Tuesday, two family sources said on Wednesday.

The Sudanese army ousted and detained former president on April 11 in response to four months of nationwide protests against his three-decade rule.

He is being held under tight security in solitary confinement, a source at the prison said.

Since his removal by the military last Thursday, Bashir had been detained under heavy guard in the presidential residence inside the compound that also houses the Defence Ministry, the family sources said.

The military ousted Bashir after weeks of protests against him that culminated in a sit-in outside the Defence Ministry compound that began on April 6.

Protests are still going on in spite his removal.

Awad Auf, who announced Bashir’s removal and said he was being detained in a “safe place”, stepped down as head of the ruling Transitional Military Council after only a day in the post.

Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan now heads the council, which has promised to hold elections within two years.

Meanwhile, Uganda has said it is willing to offer asylum to al-Bashir should he apply.

Henry Oryem, Uganda’s

Minister of State for International Affairs, told the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs that the ousted leader is a guarantor to the South Sudan peace process.

“If Bashir applies for asylum here that is something the government of Uganda can consider because Bashir is a guarantor to our peace talks,” said.

Oryem, while presenting the ministry’s budget requirements for financial year 2019 to 2020 said, Bashir and Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni are the guarantors to the peace deal in the neighbouring South Sudan.

“We wish and urge that Sudan should remain intact whatever happens, no one should have aspiration or desire for Sudan to break.

“This is what Uganda is urging, privately and publicly.

We don’t under estimate that what happens in Sudan has an effect on Uganda.”

The minister said the authorities in Kampala were closely monitoring the ongoing events in Khartoum, where street protests have continued after the military removed Bashir from power last week.

“We are watching Sudan very closely and we classify Sudan as our immediate neighbour.

“The transition is very volatile and as far as we are concerned we urge the government in Sudan to respect the will of the people,” said Oryem.

Ollanta Humala spent nine months in pre-trial detention in 2017 to 2018 and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was arrested without charges recently.

A fourth former president,

Alejandro Toledo, is fighting extradition from California after a judge in Peru ordered him jailed for 18 months in connection with Odebrecht in 2017.

However they have all denied wrongdoing in connection with Odebrecht.

In Peru, criminal suspects can be ordered to spend up to three years in jail before

trial if prosecutors can show they have evidence that likely would lead to a conviction and the suspect would likely flee or try to interfere in the investigation.

MEETING TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING...

L-R: Representative of Chairman, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, Hajiya Memuna Momodu; Senior Adviser, Department For International Development (DFID) Nigeria, Richard Sandall; Director, Communications DFID, United Kingdom, Tim Singleton and Communication Specialist working with the National Agency for the Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Adam Cohen, during a meeting between the Edo State Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce and the stakeholders, at the Government House, in Benin City

Egypt to Hold Weekend Referendum on Contested Constitution Changes Egypt will hold a three-day referendum beginning on April 20, over constitutional amendments that potentially allow incumbent Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi to stay in power until 2030.

An election committee announced the referendum date on Wednesday in a televised press conference in Cairo.

Commission Head, Lasheen Ibrahim, noted that Egyptians living abroad will start voting

on Friday for three consecutive days.

On Tuesday, Egypt’s parliament, led by al-Sissi’s loyalists, overwhelmingly approved the amendments that also expanded the president’s powers and presidential term.

The vote was scheduled to take place before the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan, during which observant Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.

Ramadan is expected to start on May 6, depending on the sighting of the new moon.

Right groups say the amendments further undermined democracy in Egypt by putting too much power into the hands of the president and threatening the independence of the judiciary.

If a majority of voters back the changes in the coming plebiscite, the presidential term will increase from four to six years, with a limit of

two mandates.

But a proposed provisional article also allows him to run for a third term, potentially staying in power until 2030.

Al-Sissi took office in 2014, a year after he led the army’s ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi, following mass protests against his rule.

In 2018, al-Sissi was reelected with a slide in polls that pitted him against a little-known, self-declared al-Sissi loyalist.

AU Urges African Countries to Curb Forced Displacement The African Union (AU) on Wednesday urged its member countries to join hands in the fight against forced displacement in the African continent.

According to an AU statement, the call was made

by AU’s Director of Political Affairs, Khabele Matlosa, who noted that African countries represent the largest share of forced displacement as compared with the rest of the world.

“Globally, there are currently 68.5 million forcibly displaced persons.

“Of this, 40 million are internally displaced persons, 25.4 million are refugees and 3.1 million are asylum seekers,’’ Matlosa said, adding Africa is home to more than one-third of global displacement.

The African continent currently hosts 14.5 million internally displaced persons as well as 6.3 million refugees, according to figures from the AU. “The social groups that tend to be the hardest hit by forced displacement include women, the youth, children and people with disability.

“Particular attention needs to be paid to these groups during humanitarian response initiatives,’’ Matlosa added.

Matlosa also stressed that the operationalisation of the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA), which is currently under scrutiny by AU member countries, “will enhance effective AU response to humanitarian crises such cyclone Idai in future.’’

Matlosa, who noted that the phenomenon of statelessness is “another aspect of displacement, which often gets forgotten,” said that the

number of stateless persons across the African continent is currently estimated at 712,000.

According to the AU, AfHA is part and parcel of the new humanitarian architecture adopted by the AU as enshrined in the Common African Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness.

“The new humanitarian architecture, which includes the establishment and operationalisation of the AfHA, is expected to leverage regional and national arrangements in addressing structural and proximate causes of humanitarian crises,’’ it noted.

Libyan PM Vows to Bring Army Commander to Int’l Criminal Court Libya’s UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj pledged to bring the commander of the eastern-based army Gen. Khalifa Haftar to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over indiscriminate shelling in the capital Tripoli.

On Tuesday, residential areas of Tripoli were attacked by indiscriminate shelling of unknown source, killing and injuring several people

and destroying houses and properties.

Both Serraj’s government and Haftar’s army exchanged accusations of the shelling as both parties continue fighting for control over the city.

“It is a savage attack by Haftar on the district of Abusalim and Hai al-Intisar, southern Tripoli, confirming his brutality.

“Such an act can only be

committed by someone who has no humanity,’’ Serraj said during a visit to the shelling site.

On the other hand, the army accused “terrorist militias controlling the capital” of the shelling, pledging to hold them accountable.

The army has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over western Libya, particularly Tripoli

where the government is based.

The clashes between the two sides have so far killed and injured hundreds of people and forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes.

Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid insecurity and chaos ever since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011

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Herdsmen Attack: Ekiti Monarch Faults Police Claim on Death Roll Fayemi decries killings

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti A traditional ruler in Ekiti State, the Olu of Iyemero, Oba Ebenezer Ogungbemi, has insisted that two people have been killed in the attack allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani herders in a farmstead in the town.

The monarch dismissed the claim by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba,

that preliminary report indicated that nobody died during the attack.

This is coming as Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by the Information Commissioner, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, said the state government would take every necessary step to nab the killers and bring them to justice.

Some suspected Fulani herders last Monday invaded a farmstead called Eda in Iyemero

Nwaoboshi Fails to Stop INEC from Issuing Certificate of Return to Nwoko Alex Enumah in Abuja A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja yesterday refused to hear the application brought

by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi for an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from issuing Certificate of Return to Prince Ned Nwoko in respect of Delta North senatorial district.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed in a short ruling yesterday refused to hear Nwaoboshi’s motion on the grounds that the court lacked the jurisdiction to do so, based on the fact that the Court of Appeal had already taken seize of the matter.

Justice Mohammed had on April 3, 2019 sacked Nwaoboshi as Senator-elect representing Delta North senatorial district.

In sacking the senator, the court had held that Nwaoboshi was not the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary held on October 2, 2018, conducted to nominate its senatorial candidate for Delta North district in the 2019 general election.

Consequently, Justice Mohammed ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued Nwaoboshi

as winner of the Delta North senatorial district election held on February 23 and issue Nwoko with a new certificate of return.

The court in addition, ordered INEC to immediately publish the name of Nwoko as the rightful candidate of the PDP, having established the fact before the court that Nwoko scored a majority of the lawful votes in the primary.

He also ordered Senator Nwaoboshi to stop parading himself as the candidate of the PDP for the Delta North senatorial district.

Not satisfied with the decision of Justice Mohammed, the senator approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to upturn the judgement.

Nwaoboshi, also in an application urged Justice Mohammed to stay the execution of its earlier order sacking him as senator-elect representing Delta North senatorial district.

However, Justice Mohammed in a short ruling held that since defendants in the suit had appealed his judgement in the substantive suit, he would be transferring the motion together with the entire case file to the appellate court.

Man Sentenced for Vandalism, Attempted Theft of EKEDC

Equipment

Peter Uzoho and Esther Oluku A 28-year old man, Timothy Jacob, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on a three-count charge of conspiracy, willful and unlawful damage and attempted theft of armoured cables belonging to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on April 16, 2019 in Lagos State.

According to a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, Mr. Godwin Idemudia, Jacob was apprehended by security guards of Lekki Phase 1 while cutting an armoured cable at 21 Hopunu Wusu Street, Lekki Phase 1 on April 14.

According to the statement, the accused was then handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police Force of Mobalaji

Johnson Police post in Lekki for further investigation.

Idemudia noted that Jacob confessed to committing the crimes he was accused of and named one Shedrach as his partner.

“A man buys the cables from us,” the vandal reportedly said.

Idemudia added that a manhunt was ongoing for the said accomplices who were still at large.

The spokesperson for EKEDC disclosed that the vandal pleaded guilty to the three-count charge before the magistrate, Mrs. T.B Are, sentenced him to six- month imprisonment with hard labour for counts 1 and 2, respectively; three-month imprisonment for count 3 all to run concurrently without the option of fine or community service.

in Ikole Local Government Area and shot a seven-year-old boy during a raid and a couple whom the husband later died in the hospital.

Having been reported that two people died in the attack, the police in a statement issued

by Amba last Tuesday dismissed the claim that two people were killed, describing it as mere hearsay.

But the monarch yesterday insisted that two persons were shot dead. He stated this when the delegation sent by the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to commiserate with the town visited the traditional ruler.

Oba Ogungbemi said the

victims confirmed to him that Fulani herdmen who had been having a running battle with the farmers perpetrated the ‘dastardly act’.

According to him, “They invaded the community at midnight and shot a sevenyear-old boy in the head. They also shot a couple in the other house, and the husband died after they were rushed to Ikole General Hospital as bullets could not be extracted from his body early enough.

“They have removed the bullets from the body of his wife and she had been referred to Federal Teaching Hospital in Ido Ekiti for treatment.

“What we know is that the robbers used to escape through Ikole-Itapaji-IyemeroEruku route to Kwara State after robbing banks in Ado Ekiti; it is a fact that we have a porous border.

“My people should be on the alert and we are already mobilising the local hunters to work with the security agencies to tame the perpetrators.”

The monarch restated his calls for the establishment of a police station in the town to curb what he described as ‘these vampires’.

He added: “The correct information now is that two

people had died. People can’t go to their camp because they are afraid.

“About 60 of them have been displaced and they were here in my palace till today (Wednesday) before they left.”

Condoling with the monarch, Fayemi, represented by the Information Commissioner, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, said the state government would take every necessary step to nab the killers and bring them to justice.

Fayemi added that his government was ready to pay the hospital bill of the victims in order to relieve them of the burden.

EXECUTIVE JOKES...

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (left), and Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, exchanging pleasantries after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja...yesterday

NITEL/MTEL Retirees Seek FG’s Intervention on Pension Payment Sunday Okobi and Oluchi Chibuzor Over 10,000 retired staff of Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL) and its mobile subsidiary, MTEL, has called on the federal government, through the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna, to intervene in facilitating the payment of their pension to enable them survive the current economic situation of the country.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, the pensioner said they are pleading in line with

verification exercise conducted in January 2018 by the Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD) to ascertain their authenticity for the monthly pension payroll.

A retiree of NITEL, Mr. Samuel Urubusi, who also spoke to THISDAY on behalf of others, said for some years now, they have been struggling to survive without the pension due to them.

“For some years now after the termination of so many NITEL/nTEL staff’s employment, we have been struggling to get our pension restored.

“The verification exercise was conducted for over 10,000 retirees of NITEL and its mobile subsidiary, MTEL in January 2018, in order for us to be included in the monthly pension payroll by PTAD.” Urubusi added that presently, 300 NITEL/ MTEL retirees who have been verified have not been paid their monthly pension since October 2018, “which has bestowed several untold hardship on them with the situation of the country’s economy.

“NITEL union has forwarded the list of the unpaid 300 retirees to PTAD, yet no

payment has been made, and most of my colleagues died while trying to get their pension paid while some fell terribly ill with no money to pay for hospital bills and drugs.

“Their children were sent out of school as they could not pay their school fees and they find it hard to cater for themselves and their families.”

He further appealed to the Minister of Finance, who is also a retired NITEL/MTEL staff, to kindly, as a matter of urgency, look into their plight towards resolving the issue.

I Ordered Payment of April Salary to Appreciate Edo Workers, Says Shaibu As workers in Edo State bask in the euphoria of early payment of salaries ahead of the Easter celebrations, Acting Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu, has said he ordered the payment to appreciate the people for their support and also ensure that they have a memorable holiday break.

Recall that government workers in the state got alert for their April salary yesterday earlier than the 26th day of the month payday.

Giving more insight into why he ordered the immediate payment of April salary, Shaibu said he wanted to appreciate the workers for their hard work and support for the government.

He said, “I am grateful to Edo workers and appreciate the support as well as how hard they work to ensure that the state government realises its policy objectives. That was why I ordered that the salary be paid well ahead of time. I hope that with this gesture,

this Easter celebration will be memorable for our workers.”

According to him, “Many civil and public servants in the state were paid yesterday in Edo State because we followed our tradition of ensuring that their welfare takes top priority in our plans. The gesture will ensure that they have enough funds to celebrate with their family and friends. The same applies to political appointees who have also been paid.”

He stressed that the Edo State

Government was alive to the yearnings of workers and wants to ensure that workers are proud of their work, noting, “Much as we agree that workers are deserving of their wages, we are also alive to the fact that there is need for them to get some cushion during holiday periods.

Christian faithful commence Easter celebration on Friday, with Good Friday and later on Sunday, when they mark Easter Sunday.

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Women Demand 50% Positions from Buhari, Govs Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Women under the auspices of the Coalition for the Inclusion of Women in Governance yesterday advocated for a 50 per cent women’s share in all appointive positions at both federal and state levels in the incoming administration.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the spokesperson of the women group, Ebere Ifendu, said the 2019 general election ended on a very disappointing note with women recording abysmally low number of elected legislators in the National Assembly.

She lamented that though there is parity between male and female in Nigeria’s estimated population of 200 million, adding that most of the positions critical to national development are occupied by the male folk.

She added that although 47 per cent of registered voters are

women, according to the records of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), their political representation is limited.

“Our prayer is that higher number of women should be appointed as ministers, board chairmen and heads of agencies and parastatals irrespective of the zoning formula.

“We demand same at the state level. The appointment should be representational of all the states in Nigeria. For Nigeria to be compliant with the United Nations’ requirements and its own gender policy, we are demanding a 50 per cent affirmative action to reflect in the new appointment in the 9th republic,” he said.

Ifendu urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership to ensure that they reciprocate the support from women by given them their

due share.

The women said that their demand for more inclusivity in governance is based on merit and the contributions they have been making in the political and economic development of the country.

One of the speakers said that for the country to have genuine development, the leadership must not ignore the clamour for more women participation in governance.

She likened Nigeria to a giant that has refused to wake up to its responsibility and join other countries in giving women their pride of place in the scheme.

The women also asked the first lady, Aisha Buhari and the wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osibanjo, to prevail on their husbands to work towards realisation of the 50% women participation in the next administration.

REC: I Never Compromised Rivers Election Process Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Obo Effanga, has said he has nothing to regret in his handling of the last general election in the state.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday, Effanga said he never compromised the electoral process in the state contrary to claims by some interest groups.

He insisted that in line with the dictates of his duty, he insisted that the commission conducted the last elections in the state in line with extant laws.

He said: “I was not paid to work for the victory of any political party. Did I compromise the process?

No, I did not.

“When I came to Rivers State, even when I was in Edo State, I kept saying one thing that my job is to conduct an election and to conduct election in a manner that everybody will be given the opportunity to participate

whether as a voter or a candidate.

“Now, I use this analogy.

If you cast you mind when you were in school, when it is examination time, students who are not prepared for examination will like to cause problem for the school to be closed down or cause the examination to be extended.

“It seems to me that some people tried to do that during the election. Anybody who prepared for the election was ready to go into the election,” he explained.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the polls in the state in such a manner that everybody had the opportunity to be part of the electoral process.

“I did not compromise the electoral process. My duty was to conduct an election and I did that and ensured that everybody had the opportunity to be part of the process.

“My duty is not about who wins the election. It is not my interest whether candidate A or candidate B wins. I do not regret any action I took

before, during and after the elections,” he said.

On media reports that members of the INEC Factfinding Committee met with some governorship candidates in the wake of the suspension of the process in the state on March 10, Effanga insisted that the committee did not meet with any candidate.

“I am stating it here again that the Fact-finding Committee did not meet with any of the candidates,” he said.

On whether some candidates were heading to the election tribunals, the REC said: “It is exclusively the right of any candidate in an election, who is not satisfied with the outcome to go to the tribunal. That is why the tribunal is established. If any persons have any reason to challenge the election, the only place he goes to is the tribunal.”

On what next for the commission, Effanga said the commission would embark on the review of the events that occurred during the 2019 general elections in order to strategise for the 2023 general election.

Firm Hits Nigerian Market with NewlifeRice, NaijaSweetRice An indigenous food processing company, Integrated Factory Foods Company, has launched into the Nigerian market economic friendly smaller packaged rice.

The company, owner of NewlifeRice®, NaijaSweetRice® trademarks, has in addition to its existing sizes of 50kg ,25kg, 5kg and 750g launched cost effective and economic friendly 375g NaijaSweetRice® package popularly known as ‘HungaBusta’.

This latest pack is targeted at the retail consumer especially those who are already accustomed to buying rice in direct retail cup serving.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Factory Foods Company,

Akhibi Onoke Akhibi, despite the laudable emphasis of the federal government on local content in rice production, many urban rice consumers are being denied the opportunity of savoring the rich taste of freshly milled, delicious locally produced rice as a result of sharp practices of some unscrupulous rice merchants.

Akhibi added that his company in its innovativeness, decided to introduce the NaijaSweetRice® HungaBusta pack through the new trend of dry food channel.

The HungaBusta pack is equivalent of two cups (175g) plus of edible rice grains that is ideal for a family of four.

Like its other sizes, he said the paddy rice input is sourced locally from Bida,

Doko, Enagi, Edozhgi and Katcha areas of Niger State, North Central Nigeria and are processed to high quality standard.

Akhibi also stressed that NaijaSweet Rice “meets all the standard of food safety, consistent quality, reasonable pricing and fair trading opportunities for supply chain participants.

“By introducing single family serving, homegrown, freshly milled and well packaged Nigerian rice to retail consumers, the company hopes to offer to the public, especially the urban consumers the opportunity to connect with our farmers and enjoy the rich taste of locally produced rice they have been denied for so long.”

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Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 08111813083

Golden Eaglets Book 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup Ticket Five-time world champions Nigeria became the first African team to book a 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup ticket after 1-0 defeat of Angola in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The win means that the Eaglets return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup after missing out of the last edition staged in India two years ago.

Olakunle Olusegun earned the ticket to the tournament semi finals and to Brazil 2019 when he hooked a 21st minute penalty to the roof of the net with Angola’s goalkeeper Geovani stranded. But the Golden Eaglets were guilty of profligacy and the technical crew certainly has much to do still.

Zenith Bank Hails Eaglets, Olusegun Zenith Bank Plc on Wednesday congratulated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria for picking a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup billed to take place later this year in Brazil.

Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 yesterday in Tanzania to confirm a place in the U-17 finals with six maximum points from two matches. The country earlier defeated host Tanzania 5-4 on Sunday in a highly entertaining encounter.

The bank specifically showered praises on the scorer of the lone goal for Nigeria, Olakunle Olusegun, who incidentally is a product of outfit in the NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles project.

It was learnt that shortly after the match yesterday, an official of the bank called the team camp in to congratulate the players and officials of the team.

The ongoing Africa U-17 Africa Cup of Nations has

onto the ball a few metres from the centre and unleashed a rocket that goalkeeper Sunday Stephen, in for the jittery Suleman Shaibu, did well to punch away.

Three minutes later, Stephen had to be alert to push away another fierce Angolan shot, but two minutes later, at the other end, Ubani’s swift turn and shot came quite close with Geovani beaten.

An Angolan defender handled the ball in the box under pressure in the 21st minute, and Olusegun made no mistake from the spot to

put Nigeria in front.

They could have had many more, but Shedrack Tanko bundled against the upright in the 42nd minute when it appeared easier to score, and Olusegun’s effort to chip Goevani from a swift counter was well –read by the goalkeeper.

In the second period, the Eaglets’ profligacy continued, even after the Angolans were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute as Jose Cabincano earned a second yellow card. In the 53rd minute, Ubani’s stinging shot from

25 yards went narrowly over, and on the hour, when it appeared easier to score, Ubani passed the ball to onrushing Olusegun who missed from close range.

Substitutes Ibraheem Jabaar, Divine Nwachukwu and Peter Agba could not effect any improvement in the Eaglets’ game, and Nwachukwu even missed a glorious opportunity with six minutes to the end.

Nigeria will certainly finish at the head of Group A if they avoid defeat against Uganda at the same venue on Saturday.

continued to be of huge interest to the chieftains of Zenith Bank plc because of the bank’s investment on youth football in the country.

“Some of the players here are products of Zenith Bank football projects and so we understand why the company is excited at this time. Our key players are from the NFF/ Zenith Future Eagles project,” an official of the team said on Wednesday.

Apart from Olusegun, Akinwunmi Amao, voted as MVP of the nine-goal thriller in the Tanzania/Nigeria match, is also a product of the Zenith/NFF partnership.

Nigeria’s last match in the preliminaries of the ongoing competition is against Uganda.

The Eaglets will need to avoid a defeat against the Ugandans to finish as group leaders. Uganda defeated Tanzania 3-0 on Wednesday.

Winners Emerge in U.S. Consulate Supported Little League Baseball Tournament The United States Consulatesupported Little League Nigeria 2019 Baseball Tournament ended on Wednesday at the Oval Pitch Section of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ibadan Excellers from Oyo State prevailed over the Akure Owena team from Ondo State by a score of 12 to 5 to emerge winners of the 2019 edition of the tournament.

Toluwani Hassan from Akure Owena team was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Delivering remarks at the closing ceremony of the tournament, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer Russell Brooks described the game of baseball as a favourite American pastime.

He noted that the U.S. Consulate is pleased to share an aspect of American culture with Nigerian youth, their parents and coaches who share a similar passion for the game.

According to him, baseball offers the youth an opportunity to learn valuable life-lessons, including the importance of teamwork, cooperation, communication and leadership skills.

In addition to playing and

As happened against host nation Tanzania on Sunday, the Eaglets proved to be masters of use of space and close control, but they mostly lacked the right ideas and punch in the final third, just as some passes went astray at critical moments.

Two-goal hero against Tanzania, Wisdom Ubani could have been on the scorer-sheet in the 11th minute but his fierce effort from a 22-yard free kick went narrowly off target.

Angola were not to be brow-beaten, as Zito latched

enjoying the game of baseball, Brooks encouraged the young players to take their academic pursuits seriously and stay off juvenile delinquencies.

“If you do well in the classroom as well as on the baseball field, I am confident that an incredible world of opportunity will open up to you: opportunities to travel, to study overseas, and to represent your country in international competitions.

“There will be opportunities to network with incredibly successful people and you may possibly find a place in one of the most lucrative industries worldwide –sports and entertainment,” Brooks said at the event attended by senior Oyo State government representatives, sports administrators and faculty from leading Nigerian universities.With the support of the U.S. Consulate, 12 teams from Abuja, Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo and Oyo states competed in this year’s tournament, which ran from April 12 to April 17.

Former U.S. Major League Baseball catcher, Raymond Thomas and DC Knights Youth Sports coach, Gerard Hall, traveled to Nigeria to assist both players and coaches during the tournament.

L-R: Former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha; Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Oriakhi; Former Spanish national football team Captain, Carles Puyol; Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Kweku Tandoh; Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Jordi Borrut Bel and Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan when the Heineken UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour arrived at the Lagos State Government House… yesterday

Over 300 Amateur Golfers Battle for 2019 IBB Captain’s Cup Udora Orizu in Abuja Over 300 male and female golfers have registered to participate in this year’s IBB International Golf and Country Club Captain’s Cup 2019 Tournament.

The 18-hole tournament is expected to tee-off on Friday with eminent personalities including APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Plateau State Simon Lalong, ex Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, the former Senate President David Mark on ground to witness the ceremony.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the outgoing Captain of the club,

Oseni Ahmed said there will be 13 categories to play for in the tournament.

He said: “We are going to have 13 categories playing, main division one and two for handicappers. Players playing off handicap 0 to 14 and 15 to 28 for gentlemen golfers and then two divisions in the ladies category. Those playing off handicaps 0 to 19 and from 20 to 36. We also have our veterans and super veterans ladies and men categories.”

“All together we have about 33 trophies on display, we also have what we call attachment prices and I can assure you that winners will surely smile home,

some of them will win electronic devices because amateur golfers play to win electronics in line with international golf best practices,” Ahmed said.

He noted that the club is very prepared and will be doing two shotguns, morning session and afternoon session which according to him will put a little bit less pressure on the course.

Speaking on his tenure achievements, Ahmed revealed that he was able to reduce the deficit of the club from N277 million to N13 million.

According to him, “When we came in, the club deficit was N277 million and the audited

accounts are out, I’m glad to report that we have reduced that deficit from N277 million to N13 million.”

“I discovered that government use to patronize us by giving us subventions but this was removed a long time ago, sponsors that we use to get Total, NNPC were affected by the economy. So I asked for every game you come to play just drop as small as N500 and in the past months the average we have gotten from that N500 was N2.3 million monthly and that amongst other initiatives helped a great deal to keep the courts, maintain the house and reduce the deficit.”

N45m in Prize Money on Offer at 7th Okpekpe Road Race A total prize purse of over N45million will be on offer at the seventh Okpekpe International 10km Road Race next month in Okpekpe near Auchi in Edo State.

Pamodzi Sports Marketing, organisers of the race announced the unchanged prize money outlay on the event’s website,www.okpekperoadrace. com In the outlay, a total of $112,000 is on offer as prize money to the top eight finishers in the men and women’s elite race with the winner in each

gender category going home with $20,000 while $13,000 and $9,000 respectively will go to the second and third placed finishers. The prizes for 4th-8th placed finishers in each gender category are $6,500, $3,000, $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 respectively.

Organisers also announced an unchanged prize money outlay for Nigerian runners at the race. The first placed finishers in both the men and women race will go home with N1,000,000 while the second to

the fifth placed finishers will get N600,000,N400,000,N250,000 and N150,000 respectively.

Meanwhile spokesman for the race, Dare Esan said yesterday that payment of prize money and bonuses is dependent upon athletes clearing the usual antidoping procedures. ‘’Athletes running for the prize money on offer must also achieve a level of performance before they can redeem their respective prizes. ‘’For example, to qualify for the $20,000 top prize for the elite

runners, the athletes must run 28:35.00 minutes or better for the men and 32:41.00 minutes for the women.

For the Nigerian category, the winners must run 29:04.00 minutes or better for men and 34:05.01 minutes for the women’s race,’ he added.

The Okpekpe international 10km road race is the first road race in Nigeria nay West Africa to be granted a label status by the IAAF and the only one IAAF silver label road race in Africa this year.

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THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS U E FA C H A M P I O N S L E A G U E

Spurs Stun Man City on Away Goal to Reach Semis Liverpool sets up Barcelona semi clash Tottenham ended Manchester City’s quadruple bid as Fernando Llorente’s goal settled a see-sawing freescoring Champions League quarter-final.

The game began at a frantic pace with five goals inside 21 minutes as Raheem Sterling and Son Heung-Min both scored twice and Bernardo Silva found the net.

Sergio Aguero’s goal after

the break put City ahead in the tie, but Llorente bundled in to put his side back ahead.

In a dramatic late twist Sterling saw an injury-time winner ruled out by centre referee Cüneyt Çakir after consulting the VAR. Spurs will play Ajax in the last four.

In the other game of the night, goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah set Liverpool on their way to

a thumping 6-1 aggregate win over Porto as they eased into the Champions League semi-finals.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Anfield, Liverpool were forced to survive an

early bombardment in the saturated Estadio do Dragao before taking control.

Mane opened the scoring with a sliding effort - from Mohamed Salah’s scuffed shot - which was confirmed

by VAR, before Salah stroked in a second after the break from a superb counter-attack.

Real Madrid-bound defender Eder Militao pulled a goal back for the hosts before close-range headers

from Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk sealed an impressive victory.

Liverpool will face Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday 30 April.

Ajax Captain Still in Cloud Nine, Says Defeat of Juve Not Normal Ajax Captain Matthijs de Ligt insisted yesterday that the underdogs’ run to the Champions League semifinals has left him speechless.

The Dutch side have beaten Real Madrid and Juventus in the knockout stages to make the last four, where they will face Tottenham or Manchester City.

“It’s bizarre. It’s not normal. I have no words for it,” the 19-year-old Netherlands defender told BT Sport.

“We have shown once again that we are very strong and that we can make it difficult for large teams.”

De Ligt scored the decisive goal in Tuesday’s semi-final second leg at Italian giants Juventus, as Ajax secured a deserved 3-2 aggregate win and a return to the last four of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 1997.

“I was going a bit crazy because we couldn’t convert any of the chances. I wasn’t born the last time we reached the semis,” added De Ligt.

Ajax are the first team from outside England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France to reach the last four since compatriots PSV Eindhoven

did so 14 years ago.

“We have incredible talents and, for our nation, it will get better and better,” said manager Erik ten Hag. “We were not favourites, but with our philosophy we again exceeded our limits.

“We know how to push boundaries every time.

And with Tottenham or Manchester City there will be another challenge. We look forward to it.”

Ajax last lifted the trophy in 1995 with a young, homegrown squad that contained future superstars like Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert.

Their star players were gradually picked off by the era’s biggest clubs, but they still managed to return to the final the following year and the semi-finals the season after.

Several of this year’s squad are expected to leave in the summer, with Frenkie de Jong already having agreed a summer move to Barcelona.

“Apart from the first five minutes of the second half, we dominated after the break and were well worth our victory,” De Jong said.

“In fact, we probably should have won by more.”

E U R O PA

Emery Gives Arsenal 50-50 Chance of Reaching Semis Unai Emery believes Arsenal have a “50-50 chance” of reaching the Europa League semifinals despite taking a 2-0 lead into tonight’s second leg against Napoli.

Arsenal dominated the first leg at the Emirates Stadium last week as an Aaron Ramsey finish and a Kalidou Koulibaly own goal secured the win inside 25 minutes.

However, Emery’s Arsenal have struggled on the road since the start of the calendar year and have won just three of their last nine away games in all competitions.

Napoli on the other hand have lost just once at Stadio San Paolo in Serie A all season – against reigning Italian champions Juventus.

“Fifty-fifty, it’s not changed for me. We played the first leg at home and we won,”

Emery told a news conference on Wednesday. “That’s a normal result.

“But when you play here against Napoli, they can beat you, it’s a possibility because they are very strong at home. “(They will test us) tactically and with this atmosphere here they are going to play with courage. They are ready to play with their head and intelligence.”

Arsenal will be without onloan midfielder Denis Suarez after the club confirmed he stayed in London for treatment on a groin problem.

TODAY (8:00pm) Chelsea

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S’Prague

Napoli

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Arsenal

Frankfurt v

Benfica

Valencia

Villarreal

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Fernando Llorente and his Tottenham Hotspur teammates celebrating the ticket to the semi final of the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League

GOtv Boxing Night: WABU President Urges More Corporate Support for Boxing President of the West African Boxing Union (WABU), Remi Aboderin, has called on corporate organisations in the country to emulate pay television service provider, GOtv’s support for Nigerian boxing. Aboderin, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) made the call in Lagos yesterday at the offices of Flykite Promotions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, which has been sponsored by GOtv since 2014.

He noted that the intervention of GOtv in Nigerian boxing has revived the sport, adding that there is a need for many more organisations to support boxing to ensure a speedier return to health.

“Nobody connected to Nigerian boxing can fail to see

the strides being made by the sport since GOtv intervened in 2014. Their intervention, which has seen them invest huge sums, time, organisation, logistics, especially the live broadcast of the event by SuperSport, has rescued our beloved sport from irrelevance. I can tell you that we at the NBB of C are happy, boxers are happy, sub-regional and continental boxing bodies such as the African Boxing Union are also happy for GOtv’s support.

The fans, who are crucial to the sport, are similarly delighted,” he said.

To sustain the momentum, the WABU President urged other corporate organisations to take a leaf out of GOtv’s book, as doing so will ensure Nigerian boxing’s return to full health will be quicker.

“I want to use this opportunity to plead with corporate organisations to join in the efforts to take Nigerian boxing back into the big time. With more corporate support, it will happen faster.

The fact is under five years of sponsoring GOtv Boxing Night and GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, Nigerian boxing has regained prominence on the African and Commonwealth scenes. Our boxers are sought after, as many champions have been made. We need to go a few notches higher and that will happen if others show similar commitment,” he stated.

GOtv Boxing Night is approaching its 18th edition, which is scheduled to hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty), Ibadan, on

Sunday. The eight-fight show will feature two international duels, the ABU lightweight title clash between Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph of Nigeria and Ghana’s Success “Brave Warrior” Tetteh and an international light middleweight clash between Akeem “Dodo” Sadiku of Nigeria and Ekpresso Djamihou of the Republic of Benin.

Also on the card is the national super featherweight title bout between Ridwan ‘Scorpion” Oyekola and the champion, Taofeek “Taozon” Bisuga.

Other boxers in action include Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, WABU welterweight champion; Ganiyu “Energy” Kolawole, Tope “Esepo” Agbaje, Michael “Holy Mike” Jacobs, Opeyemi “Sense” Adeyemi and Isaac “I Star” Chukwudi.

Anosike S’East Cricket Championship Bowls off April 25th After several weeks of planning, the annual Chuma Anosike Cricket Cup Championship is set to bowl-off April 25th in Afikpo, Ebonyi State.

The annual event, which is going into its ninth installment, is a competition organised among all the five states in the South-East geopolitical zone will hold for the first time in Ebonyi State with Afikpo ready to put up a memorable five-day tournament to end on April 29.

The sponsor of the competition and former board member of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF)

Chuma Anosike said the main objective of the annual programme is to continue to amplify the development and awareness of cricket in the zone namely; Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia states.

He said the six male and female teams will participate in the tournament with the host state given the privileged to present two teams in each of the categories. He explained further that the format for play would be ‘Round robin’ with the top two teams advance to play in the final in the two categories.

“We must strive hard to

sustain the competition in spite the prevailing economic challenges we have strived hard to ensure that all the needed resources for the tournament are made available and in keeping with tradition, prizes will be awarded for outstanding performances in various categories and cash gifts for the best teams I both category of play.

“As a major stakeholder in our drive to increase awareness and participation in our beloved sport of cricket, it is my wish that the sport will grow to become the second most popular game in the country after

football,” he remarked.

He noted that the state of cricket for now is ‘Work in Progress’ and tasked other stakeholders to use the recent success of U-18 triumphed in South Africa to further spread the gospel according to cricket in the country.

“The tournament was the first time any Nigerian team will play at an international event winning all matches to become overall champion.

We were all proud of those boys and it is my wish that the young talents must be encouraged to participation in regular tournament both local and international,” he expressed.

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MISSILE Ishaq Oloyede to Nigerians “When you visit some private universities, you will be ashamed for Nigeria. From the structures, you will know that something is wrong. If you take a deeper look, you will discover more decadence and rot in their operations. Some of the proprietors choose to run the universities like a family business and it ought not to be so” – JAMB Registrar on the bastardisation of standards at most of the private universities

OLUSEGUNADENIYI The Assassins in Police Uniform THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

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hat those saddled with the responsibility of protecting Nigerians are beginning to behave like assassins is a troubling challenge the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Muhammad Adamu has decided to confront.

Henceforth, electro-muscular disruption technology known as teaser will replace the use of firearms for routine patrols, arrest duties and other low-risk operations. This, according to Adamu, is a “strategic approach towards reducing incidents of fatalities associated with misappropriation of lethal weapons by the Police as first line of response to any threat.”

Although I am almost certain the order will soon be frustrated and rescinded, that it was made at all is a commendable gesture, given recent spike in the number of extra judicial killings by policemen. “Lagos State has recorded four incidents of misuse of firearms which have resulted in extrajudicial killings of young citizens of this country and injury to others” said Adamu who added that it is “worrisome that two of these incidents occurred within the last two weeks. Aside negating our professional calling, extrajudicial acts of any description or level by any police personnel is an unacceptable anomaly that creates distrust and disdain between the citizens and the police and widens the trust gap between them.”

While it is reassuring that we have an IGP who believes in accountability, it is also important for Adamu to understand that the culture of indiscipline and lawlessness he is fighting has permeated the rank and file. That Adamu was in Lagos on Monday to condole with the families of some of these victims is a testimony to his character and the legacy he wants to bequeath. But before we address the substantive issue, it may be helpful to highlight a few of the recent tragedies that speak to the nature of the problem Adamu has inherited.

Last week, Jessica Ada was gunned down by some rogue police squad in Olodi Apapa, Ajegunle. While some of her assailants have been apprehended, the Inspector who led the squad is now on the run. Earlier, Kolade Johnson Odebiyi was killed by the special anti-cultism squad in one of their notorious raids, essentially for shake-down. In yet another video being circulated online, two armed police officers were seen dragging a young man through the street, before shooting him dead at close range. About four other young men could be seen in the video lying down on the floor, with guns being pointed at them by these policemen.

Yesterday, the Police arraigned in court two Traffic Wardens for the gruesome killing in Abuja of an Assistant Superintendent, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jumbo Ogah Ochigbo. For violating traffic rules, Ochigbo was allegedly beaten and dragged on the floor in the presence of his wife and two children by the two policemen until he died.

In a somewhat similar but contrasting incident a few weeks before that, Adeyemo Rotimi, an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was murdered by a trigger-happy FSARS operative who believed he had a right not only to break traffic rules

Police IG, Mohammed Adamu

but also to take the life of the official on duty.

From Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State where policemen pursued and shot a young man in the head at close range in what was reported as a fight over money and Indian hemp, to Abuja where a young lady, Anita Akapson, was last October killed by a policeman in Katampe Extension in a case of ‘mistaken identity’, the list of extra-judicial killings is very long. Yet, the duties of the police ordinarily include maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property.

Sadly, from extortion to rape to murder, there is no crime that is alien to many of our policemen. In 2010, the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) in collaboration with New York-based Open Society Justice Initiative produced a revealing report with the conclusion that many men and officers of Nigeria Police are more likely to commit crimes than prevent them. Titled, ‘Criminal Force: Torture, Abuse and Extrajudicial Killings by the Nigeria police force’, the report was based on a two-year investigation at more than 400 police stations in 14 states across the country.

According to the study conducted between February 2007 and January 2009, recruitment into the police has been compromised by political interference while majority of its men and officers are poorly trained and prone to corruption and violence. “Sex workers report being rounded up by NPF personnel for the express purpose of rape. Acknowledging the routine nature of rape by police, one police officer referred to it simply as a ‘fringe benefit’ of certain patrols,” the report claimed.

By relying on torture to elicit ‘confessions’, according to the report, many of the police stations have designated officials and a room set aside for the practice. “In one well-documented case in 2004 in Kaduna State, the police visited a cemetery late at night to bury truckloads of detainees they had executed. The police frequently deny victims’ relatives access to information about their fate—or their remains. Relatives who continue to pursue such information, or seek redress, often face threats or reprisals from the police,” said the report which I strongly recommend to Adamu

along with others that Amnesty International have over the years released.

However, as prevalent as extra judicial killings and other forms of barbarism may be within the police, it also has a class dimension. Most of their victims are usually poor people. The International Justice Mission (IJM), an NGO which focuses on human rights and law enforcement, sees this as a global challenge.

Rather than teach their children to run to the police if they are in trouble, parents in many developing countries teach them to run away from the police to keep them from harm’s way, says an ICJ report which documents how “millions of the poorest people in the developing world are abused by corrupt police who extort bribes and brutalize innocent citizens” and for that reason, “poor people regard the police as agents of oppression, not protection.”

That happens to be the case with Nigeria.

On a regular basis among the urban poor, police operatives stop citizens on street corners and subject them to ‘stop and search’ which is usually extended to mobile phones, laptops and iPads without any court orders as required by the Cybercrimes Act. Acting above the law that guarantees the dignity and liberty of citizens, the privacy of their homes and correspondence, most of these policemen are always trigger-happy, ready to kill at the slightest provocation. In an April 2012 report I once cited on this page, the Centre for Victims of Extra-Judicial Killings and Torture (CVEKT) claimed that between 2008 and 2011, a total of 7,198 extra-judicial killings were carried out in our country by the police.

It is significant that the Senate yesterday passed the Police Reform Bill, 2019. Despite series of attempts in the last 15 years to repeal

and replace the Police Act of 1943 (which includes Order 237 ‘to shoot any suspect and detainees trying to escape or avoid arrest’), it is only the current National Assembly that has taken the matter with a measure of seriousness. Operations of the police have been guided by our colonial heritage based on a law promulgated 76 years ago. Hopefully, the House of Representatives can now join the Senate so we can have a law that will, among other things, curtail the activities of tyrants and sadists who cannot appreciate the fact that the guns in their hands are not to terrorise defenceless citizens.

Meanwhile, with all the negative reports that we are assailed with every day in the social media, I can imagine how depressing it must be for the good policemen. Yet the job that policemen do is a dangerous one, especially in a society like ours. The remuneration is also very poor. But if the people on whose behalf they make all the sacrifices do not trust them, then there is a problem. That is why we must support IGP Adamu in his efforts to rid the police of the bad eggs that are sullying the image of the institution. But he has a tough job on his hands.

When you add the scandals associated with corruption, abuse of power and misuse of deadly force with a glaring lack of capacity to effectively discharge on their constitutional mandates, it is easy to see how the legitimacy of the police has been completely eroded in our country. Therefore, while the bill passed by the Senate yesterday contains several safeguards on the rights of citizens in line with the United Nation’s code of conduct for law enforcement officials, there is also an urgent need to change the orientation of the men and officers who have been conditioned to believe that they are above the law.

The Exodus of Nigerian Doctors

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here have been several reactions to my piece on the state of healthcare in Nigeria vis-à-vis the growing number of our medical personnel who are seeking the proverbial greener pastures abroad, https://www.thisdaylive.com/ index.php/2019/03/21/the-exodus-ofnigerian-doctors/?amp. From the United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE) to the British Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) to Dubai Health Authority (DHA) as well as the Medical Council of Canada Examination (MCCE) and Australian Medical Council (AMC) and others, Nigeria has become a recruiting ground for medical personnel.

While the authorities may not be paying much attention to this phenomenon, there is a new report by NOIPoll in collaboration with NigeriaHealthWatch that highlights the implications to healthcare delivery in our country. It was sent to me by Mr Emeka Ibe of James Daniel Consulting, a Healthcare Policy Support Consultant whose passion is to promote Nigeria as a hub for regional medical tourism.

The 48-page report can be accessed on: http://olusegunadeniyi.com/Emigration_ of_Medical_Doctors_Survey_Report.pdf.

Some of the findings include the fact that 83 percent of doctors who filled the survey and are based abroad had completed their medical education in Nigeria before leaving the country; all the medical doctors surveyed know colleagues who are presently resident in Nigeria but currently seeking work opportunities abroad while 48 percent of them have between five to 15 friends/ colleagues who moved out of the country within the last two years. To compound the problem, 88 percent of the medical doctors surveyed disclosed that they are also seeking work opportunities abroad.

Aside highlighting the problems in the health sector and the reasons many of our doctors are bailing out, the report also made key recommendations. Critical stakeholders should examine some of them as we seek to tackle the challenge of healthcare delivery in our country. This conversation continues.

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